Ireland captain Caelan Doris has been ruled out of this summer’s Nations Championship Southern Series following his side’s United Rugby Championship victory on Friday evening.
The powerful back-rower was removed from the field with a foot injury just six minutes into the URC final against the Bulls, and it has since been confirmed that the injury is more severe than initially hoped.
Winger Tommy O’Brien also sustained damage to his ankle during the match when he landed awkwardly after competing for a kick. He was replaced by Garry Ringrose just before half-time, which proved to be his final action for quite some time, as he’s also set to miss the summer series.
A statement released by the Irish Rugby Football Union reads: ‘The Ireland squad will depart for Sydney on Monday ahead of the Nations Championship Southern Series and there have been two enforced changes to the squad following Leinster’s URC final victory on Friday evening.
“Captain Caelan Doris (foot) and Tommy O’Brien (groin) have been ruled out of the matches against Australia (Saturday, 4 July), Japan (Saturday, 11 July) and New Zealand (Saturday, 18 July).
‘They have been replaced by Ulster’s uncapped duo Bryn Ward and Zac Ward.
‘Leinster hooker Dan Sheehan will lead the three-match tour.’
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Ireland’s biggest fan
Despite not being able to play this summer, there’s no doubt that Doris will remain Ireland’s biggest supporter – a role which he fulfilled to the maximum during Leinster’s recent title win.
“Delighted for the group, the lads leaving, but also for the coaching staff,” the 28-year-old told the Leinster website.
“The effort that they’ve put in, Leo [Cullen], in particular, is Leinster through and through, and wants the best for the group and has desired this more than anyone.
“Not for himself, but for the group and the collective. I’m glad we were able to get it done.”
He was also full of praise for his fellow countrymen, adding: “I think some of our backs stepped up massively, like Hugo [Keenan] and Sammy [Prendergast], probably are the two at the forefront of that. I thought they were class today.”