James Ryan has been unveiled as an ambassador for the Aldi Play Rugby Programme, joining Paul O’Connell who has been in the position since the partnership began in 2016.
Ryan kicked off his role with a socially-distant delivery of Aldi Play Rugby training equipment to Scoil Maelruain, Old Bawn, Tallaght who will be among the primary schools participating in the programme with online support from the IRFU community rugby officers.
The Aldi Play Rugby Sticker promotion had to come to a premature end with the impact of Covid-19 but schools were still encouraged to submit partially filled posters for a chance to win the €50,000 prize that will go to one school to upgrade sporting facilities.
Ryan was made available to media as part of the launch yesterday and he spoke about the defeat in France at the weekend as well as the challenge he faced in learning to be more of a speaker in a team environment.
There is inevitable talk of him being a potential next captain of Ireland, and he will be able to chat to Paul O’Connell about that when they come at some point in the future, to share a photoshoot.
It is not something that has come naturally but he spoke of the benefits of working under Stuart Lancaster and Andy Farrell as helping him to find his voice.
Aldi is the Official Fresh Food partner to the IRFU.Sport for Business Partners
