Australian prop Paddy Ryan played in Major League Rugby in 2019 and 2021. He represented the San Diego Legion for his entire MLR career.

A New South Wales native, Ryan joined the Waratahs development system out of high school before attending the University of Sydney later in his career. He played for the Waratahs between 2011-2018, earning over 100 Super Rugby appearances and earning 3 Test caps for Australia as Wallaby #866 between 2012-2014. Following this lengthy stint with the Waratahs, Ryan joined the Sanix Blues in Japan, before heading stateside.

Ryan joined the San Diego Legion ahead of the 2019 MLR season, earning an MLR-record 11 Team of the Week nominations in 16 games as the Legion finished as the top team in the regular season before falling 23-26 to the Seattle Seawolves in the Championship Final. Ryan was named the MLR Forward of the Year for his remarkable performance that year. Following the MLR season he returned to the Sanix Blues in Japan, but rejoined the Legion for the 2021 season, earning an additional 7 MLR appearances before again returning to Japan with the Blues.

Ryan was announced by the Legion as returning once again for their 2023 season, but ended up joining the Black Rams in Japan and took no part in the Legion’s historic 15-1 season in 2023. He is one of 3 ‘Paddy Ryan’s to have played in MLR, with all 3 having represented the San Diego Legion.

achievements

• 2019 MLR Runner-Up: San Diego Legion
• 2019 MLR Forward of the Year
• MLR Record: Most TotW selections in a season – 11 (2019)