"Bit of Craic" - James Ryan responds to Henry Pollock 'scuffle' in Ireland's win over England

Contrastingly, there was plenty of uproar from the England fans, who were frustrated to see Ryan let off for the interaction. The image of Ryan pressing Pollock into the deck was promptly turned into a social media meme, with Ryan on hand to explain his actions and the post-match chat he shared with Pollock.

“No, no, he wasn't someone I was looking for." Ryan told the media at Ireland's Six Nations training camp. "That was just a bit of a scuffle at the start of the game. There wasn't much in that, in fairness to Henry Pollock, it was a bit of craic. He's someone that can give in and take it. There's no hard feelings there at all and we were having a laugh after the game. So that was it really."

Ryan has been named to start in Andy Farrell's squad, that will take on Wales this Friday night at the Aviva Stadium. Ireland are in search of a third consecutive win in the 2026 Six Nations, that will keep their hopes of a Triple Crown alive. Ryan expressed how it is crucial that Ireland are not complacent when they take on Steve Tandy's side, who are yet to get off the mark in the Championship.

"We've had a great plan going into the last three games. The first game over in Paris we had a nice plan, but we talked a lot about it and we didn't deliver it. Whereas the piece we've got right now, the last two rounds, we've delivered what we said we were going to do. It's the same for this week. The England game was great, had a lot of aspects that were pleasing. But the message coming into Friday night is it's just we can't be complacent. We've got to get better again so we're excited."

A milestone cap in the Ireland squad to take on Wales, is that Jamison Gibson-Park will make his 50th Test cap as he dons the nine jersey. The Leinster scrum half was in phenomenal form, as he bagged a try and picked up the Player of the Match award in Ireland's record setting win at Twickenham a fortnight ago. Speaking on how impressive the halfback has been once more, Ryan added;

"Behind the scenes, he's just a very laid back kind of guy, fairly chilled but he loves having the craic as well. I think when Jamison is playing well he's definitely up there with one of the very best players I've ever played with, right up there.

"I don't think people realise how good he is... now he's going to have a disaster this weekend! His feel for the game, his rugby instinct is unbelievable. I'd hate to be playing against him, to be honest, to defend against him. He's just such a good rugby player. So hopefully we can make it a good day for him."

Pivoting from Gibson-Park, across to another excelling star in the Ireland team, Ryan was quick to hand the plaudits to the man of the moment Stuart McCloskey. The Ulster centre has retained his 12 jersey for the fourth test in a row, despite the return of Robbie Henshaw and Bundee Aki to the training camp this week. Ryan handed McCloskey his flowers with a glowing commendation, and shared two nicknames which have started to follow the centre around.

"I've heard the Fridge, but just Big Stu really is his nickname. He's been good, he's been more than good, he's been unreal. Anytime he plays for Ireland, he always plays well. The last few weeks he's taken it up another gear again [and shown] just how good he is.

"Everyone would have seen that chase back he had on Marcus Smith over in London on the wing at the end. When you come up in a moment like that, just the energy and the belief that it gives the guys around you is massive. It's great to see him playing so well."

Having been labelled as a 'transitional' Ireland team ahead of the 2026 Six Nations, it is safe to say that the latest triumph over England surpassed the outside expectations in round three. Ryan is delighted to see so many young faces and aspiring talents break into the new-look Ireland team, as the men in green get a makeover some 17 months removed from the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Ulster Nathan Doak is the next man in line for his Ireland debut, as the scrum half takes a seat on the bench for the incoming Friday night clash with Wales. Elsewhere in the squad, Munster centre Tom Farrell and Ulster hooker Tom Stewart will also both make their Six Nations debuts as Ireland's squad depth continues to grow. Ryan has been impressed with this 'new era', as players make names for themselves both in their on-field performances and in the off-field craic.

"There's a lot of new faces in and around the squad. There's been a number of retirements over the last 18 months and with that there's opportunities on the pitch."

"Even coming in at the start of the campaign in Portugal, it was a different sort of feel to the squad. A lot of new faces which has been good. Craic wise someone like Bryn Ward has been good fun. Seeing some guys like Cormac [Izuchukwu] and Edwin Odogbo and these guys have all come in and added a lot as well in the forward pack."

Speaking earlier in the week, Ireland forwards coach Paul O'Connell gave Ryan a tremendous review, as the Munster man thinks that the lock has not looked better in a green jersey. To these plaudits, Ryan kept his reasoning succinct in how he has been able to bring in the top numbers throughout his recent string of stunning performances.

"I like getting into the contest, into as many battles as I can. Paul [O'Connell] often talks about cornering the market and playing to your strengths. Getting better at what makes you a good player. Defensively I'd like to think it's always been a good part of my game.

"I've just tried to keep improving that. I suppose I've learned so much off Simon [Easterby] in here and obviously Jaques [Neinaber] since he's come in to Leinster. A big part of defence here is having the mindset to get off the line and get to the tackle contest. That's always been at the forefront of my mind."