A prolific try scorer, Ryan became a dual premiership winning player with the St. George Dragons and also represented New South Wales, Queensland and Australia.
Originally from Inverell, New South Wales, Ryan attended St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill like his grandfather and father, sons and grandson.
By 1953, he represented New South Wales against the American 'All Stars' and was also picked for the Kangaroo tour.
In 1954 he played one year in Temora before moving to Rockhampton Queensland in 1955 and represented the state before returning to the Dragons for the finals in 1955.
[4][5] Ryan worked for a firm which built the Oil Refinery at Kurnell and later as a publican in hotels at Griffith, Cobar and Taree.