James Gerard Ryan (1 April 1917 â July 1978) was an Irish international rugby union player.
A Dublin-born forward, Ryan played his rugby primarily across the second row and was fast in open play, as well as a capable goal-kicker. He competed for University College Dublin RFC and was utilised as a prop in his three caps for Ireland, playing all of their 1939 Home Nations matches.
Ryan stood unsuccessfully in the 1948 Irish general election, as a candidate for Fine Gael in Dublin North-West.