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Conversation picked up on camera suggests James Ryan out of World Cup

By Ian Cameron
James Ryan of Ireland, left, receives medical treatment from Ireland team doctor Ciaran Cosgrave, centre, and lead physiotherapist Stephen Mutch during the 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between Ireland and Scotland at the Stade de France in Paris, France. (Photo By Harry Murphy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

An on-field camera that passed Ireland second row James Ryan after the final whistle was blown at the Stade de France last night appeared to pick up the forward delivering a grim prognosis for his wrist injury.

Ireland came away comfortable 36-14 win against Scotland in Pool B in the French capital but are now counting the injury costs of what was a feisty affair with the Scots.

Ryan, who started on the bench due to the wrist injury, appeared to aggravate the problem after he came onto the pitch halfway through the second half. He received treatment from the medics, although he played on until the full 80 minutes was up.

Head coach Andy Farrell said after the game: "Obviously we will see how they pull up in the morning but Mack [Hansen] went off with a HIA and felt his calf straight away so we got him off. James Ryan has a bit of a knock on his wrist that we need to assess more, so we will see how he is.

"James Lowe got a bang in the eye, it shut and he couldn't see much, his vision was coming back towards the end of the game, which is good. A few more bangs and bruises that will need to be assessed tomorrow."

However footage of Ryan suggests his Rugby World Cup could be over, with the camera clearly picking up Ryan telling Ireland No.8 Caelan Doris and hooker Ronan Kelleher: 'Think I broke my hand'.

If Ryan has broken his hand then his tournament is almost certainly over. Question marks may be raised as to why Ryan was risked given Ireland had such an able stand-in in the form of British & Irish Lions lock Iain Henderson, with Ryan Baird and Joe McCarthy also available.