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And Ryan, who is now at Newcastle Falcons having begun his career with Munster before moving to France last year, believes European experience will count in Munster's favour and will ultimately prevent Toulon from prevailing.
"I could not bet against Munster. People say they won't quality from that pool but they said the same last year and they always manage to do it," said Ryan, who will be playing Amlin Challenge Cup rugby against Bourgoin, Montpellier and Exeter Chiefs this season.
"Toulon will do well at home as French sides are proud of their records there but they don't have the European experience yet so Munster will win the group.
"They know how to come out on top in the tight matches and have the formula to qualify: win your home games and pick up one or two away successes."
As for the two other sides in Pool 3, Ryan admits that both London Irish and the Ospreys will be pushing hard for a quarter-final spot.
The Welsh side are the current Magners League Champions having beaten Munster at Thomond Park in the Spring, while the Exiles toppled then-Heineken Cup holders Leinster in Dublin in last year's group stages before falling short of qualification after two defeats to the Scarlets and a narrow loss to Leinster at Twickenham in Round 6.
"It is the pool of death. The Ospreys won the Mangers League and they will be tough opponents while London Irish are consistently in the top six of the Aviva.
"Maybe they should have qualified for the quarter-finals in Europe last season but they didn't believe enough and lost games at home."
