Former Leinster lock Charlie Ryan’s journey to recovery and retirement

Rugby is a game that requires a combination of strength, agility, and endurance. It is a sport that demands a lot from its players, both physically and mentally. For some, the thrill of the game can be worth the cost of injury and pain. But for others, the risk is too great. This is the story of a rugby player who, despite his love for the game, had to walk away from it because of a biological limitation. He has no regrets, however, and believes that his decision was the right one. This article explores his journey and the lessons he learned about listening to his body and making tough choices.


In the coastal city of Malmö in southern Sweden, it’s March 2021 and the country is on the verge of lockdown due to another wave of Covid. At a pedestrian crossing, one cannot miss the towering figure of Charlie Ryan, Leinster’s second row. Despite being 6ft 7ins and 115kg, he is struggling to cross the road as he leans heavily on crutches following surgery to both knees. His tendonitis has been a persistent issue since he was 16 and eventually leads to his retirement from rugby in January 2023. Ryan made a solitary trip to Sweden, armed with necessary travel documents, to visit the renowned professor Håkan Alfredson, who operates on his knees while he is awake over the course of two days. An epidural allowed Ryan to forgo general anesthesia-induced grogginess, but he had trouble hearing his phone while watching The Office during the surgeries. The experience was odd, made stranger since he had to carry himself out of the hospital unaccompanied. Ryan was staying at a hotel a brief walk down the street from the hospital, but his slow pace was a source of embarrassment, given the traffic lights usually turned red before he could make it to the other side. Ryan’s story exemplifies Leinster’s and his own efforts to get him back to full fitness, which eventually proved futile, leading to his retirement at the age of 23. Despite his promising rugby career and leadership of the Ireland U20s in securing a Grand Slam victory in 2019 and the Leinster A team to win the Celtic Cup, Ryan feels at peace with his decision because he recognizes the significant effort that went into his recovery. In a Dublin cafe, Ryan reminisces about his arduous road to recovery and the love, care, and support provided by those organizations he worked with, including Leinster, despite not getting a senior cap for the province. Ryan’s knee pain began at Blackrock College, where he was identified as a rugby talent worth nurturing. His condition was diagnosed as tendonitis as he donned the Ireland u-18s jersey, giving him the confidence that he could pursue a professional career in rugby. Ryan is grateful to Karl Denvir, his physio at Leinster, for going above and beyond in helping him recover from his ailment. Ryan applied for senior contracts even after being sidelined for nearly two years, and he felt a sense of gratitude to the coach, Leo Cullen, for granting that chance. Despite facing disappointment and taking it hard initially, Ryan learned to turn such experiences into lessons while building resilience and managing stress, valuable qualities that he would take with him even after his career was cut short.


In conclusion, the story of one rugby player who biologically couldn’t play the sport has shed light on the importance of listening to our bodies and accepting our limitations. While it’s easy to get caught up in the hype of a particular sport or activity, we should always consider our individual physical capabilities and prioritize our health and wellbeing. This rugby player’s journey may have come to an end earlier than anticipated, but their story serves as an inspiration to anyone struggling with accepting their own limitations. As they put it themselves, there’s not one bit of regret in doing what’s best for our bodies and minds.