Ryan represented Ireland at Youth U18 level and at U21. He made his debut for the Irish national team on 22 November 2008 in a test against Argentina in Croke Park, Dublin. Ryan missed out on selection for the Ireland senior squad for the 2009 Six Nations Championship, and had to wait until the 2009 Summer Tests to play for Ireland again, earning caps against Canada and the USA. He was named in the squad for the 2009 November Tests, but did not earn any caps during the series.