Ryan joined Ulster Rugby at the start of the 2003-04 season on a development contract, a product of the Ulster Academy, and was an Ulster Schools' Cup winning Captain with Royal Belfast Academical Institution in 2003. He was a member of Ireland's U21 side for two seasons and has participated in two U21 Rugby World Cups, in Scotland in 2003-04 and Argentina in 2005-06.

Ryan made his Ulster debut against Treviso in the Heineken Cup in October 2005, replacing international lock Justin Harrison.

Throughout the 2006/07 season Ryan got his chance to impress at Ravenhill when he was selected for 4 consecutive games towards the end of the season earning 6 Ulster caps where he didn’t disappoint. Ryan definitely impressed the Ireland selectors as he was chosen for Ireland A Squad for the Churchill Cup in June 2007.