Ryan was part of the Munster squad that won the 2008–09 Celtic League, and he added a second Celtic League winners medal to his collection when Munster beat arch-rivals, and newly crowned Heineken Cup champions, Leinster 19–9 in the 2011 Celtic League Grand Final. After the 2011 Rugby World Cup, he began to regularly partner Paul O'Connell in the Munster pack, particularly during the 2011–12 Heineken Cup, keeping Donncha O'Callaghan on the bench. It was announced on 13 March 2012 that Ryan had signed a contract extension with the IRFU. On 8 April 2012, Ryan won his 100th cap for Munster in the 2011–12 Heineken Cup quarter-final against Ulster. He also won the Munster Player of the Year award for the 2011–12 season.