Leinster lock Jason Jenkins has hailed the influence of James Ryan, who yesterday signed a new contract with the IRFU.
Ryan burst on to the international scene aged 21 and was hugely influential in Ireland's 2018 Six Nations-winning campaign as well as Leinster’s Champions Cup success of that year.
The 26-year-old endured a difficult period in the 2021-22 season after being left out of the Lions tour and suffered a number of injuries.
However, Ryan has enjoyed a stellar return to form during which he played every minute of Ireland's Grand Slam run and helped Leinster into the semi-finals of Europe.
South African Jenkins, one of a just a few senior players who have travelled for a BKT United Rugby Championship double-header against the Emirates Lions and the Vodacom Bulls, says he has learned a lot from the Dubliner.
"It’s incredible, not even just as a player, he’s got an incredible leadership skill as well," said the 27-year-old, who has one Springboks cap.
"He’s really someone I can bounce a lot of ideas off. I take a lot out of his game. He’s very physical, he’s very skilful, he’s got everything about him that a lock needs.
"I’m learning a lot from him, an incredible guy and an incredible player. He’s a quiet leader, he leads with his actions, which I really respect."
Leo Cullen has taken an inexperienced panel to the Rainbow Nation with the team already qualified for the play-offs top of the table with two rounds remaining. Sixteen of the 30-man squad are from the club’s academies.
"It’s very exciting to go home for a bit and play at altitude again," said 6' 8" Jenkins, who grew up in Pretoria and played for the Bulls earlier in his career.
"It’s nice to show the boys where we came from and where we played through the age groups. It’s going to be good."
While defeat won’t affect the standings, Jenkins said Leinster are fiercely protective of their unbeaten record in all competitions this season.
"For us it’s about keeping that standard," added Jenkins, who has played 14 times for Leinster since moving from Munster at the end of last season.
"We want to stay undefeated for the season. That’s definitely an unspoken goal amongst the players.
"Even though we’ve already qualified and got the home quarter, these games are still important.
"You never know with injuries, guys playing this week could have to step up into Europe or into quarters and play-offs in the URC.
"Everybody’s got to be ready, everybody has got to know the game plan, know their roles so it’s very important to take these games seriously, as we do."
Watch Lions v Leinster (Saturday 3pm), Stormers v Munster (Saturday 5.15pm) and Connacht v Cardiff (Saturday 7.35pm) on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player or follow live scores on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app.
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