James Ryan will become better with age, according to former Ireland lock Paul O Connell.
Ryan, 24, has won 32 caps since make his debut in 2017, and is widely tipped to make the Lions squad, at least, when the next tour to South Africa, scheduled for this summer, takes place.
O’Connell soldiered in the second row for Ireland and the Lions for 13 years and finished up with 115 caps to his name.
The Limerick man, as Ireland forwards coach, now gets a chance to work closely alongside Leinster s Ryan, who captained Ireland during the Autumn Nations Cup, and backs him to improve with experience.