Undefeated.

James Ryan is a man on fire this season. The Leinster prodigy’s rise to the top has been nothing short of incredible.

When Joe Schmidt called him up to his Ireland squad for last summer’s tour of USA and Japan, before he’d even played a senior game for Leinster, we knew this kid must be special. Turns out he’s exactly that.

Since then he’s not only become an integral part of Leinster’s squad, but Ireland’s too. He’s the first lock on the team sheet, and already has a Six Nations Grand Slam medal in his pocket.

His impact has been so great, Johnny Sexton even thinks Leinster and Ireland could have potentially won some silverware last season if he wasn’t injured.

“If we had James last year then some of those games could have been very different, he’s had that big an impact.” Sexton said on Saturday.

“He’s been outstanding in his first season, and off the pitch in his preparation and making sure he’s switched on in everything that he does. He’s probably one of those players like Seanie [O’Brien]; you’re going to pick up knocks the way he plays the game.”

“If we had James last year then some of those games could have been very different, he’s had that big an impact.

“He’s been outstanding in his first season, and off the pitch in his preparation and making sure he’s switched on in everything that he does. He’s probably one of those players like Seanie [O’Brien]; you’re going to pick up knocks the way he plays the game.”

Saturday’s win over the Scarlets also means he remains unbeaten as a professional rugby player.

8 games for Ireland. 8 wins.

12 games for Leinster. 12 wins.

Incredible.