Eric Fry is going to have an American prop partner at Newcastle next season as U.S.-eligible Paddy Ryan has signed on with the club. Ryan, who comes from a family of props, including Tim and Dave, is eligible to play for the U.S. thanks to an American mother. Dave was in the Eagles larger training group back in 2011 for the World Cup but pulled out to sign a contract with Lazio in Italy. He now plays back in his native Ireland.
Like his brothers, Paddy is a product of the Munster but spent last season playing for Libourne in the Federale 1 in France. Before that he split a season between London Welsh in the RFU Championship and Viadana in the Eccellenza for a total of seven appearances, including two in the European Challenge Cup. It's almost certainly too late for him to be added to Eagles contention for this year but at only 23 years old there is still plenty of time for him to try and break into the Eagles if that is what he chooses to do.