Brian O’Driscoll: Caelan Doris ‘will take a while to recover’ from British and Irish Lions disappointment

British and Irish Lions legend Brian O’Driscoll believes that Caelan Doris will try to “disconnect himself” from the sport after the devastation of his injury.

The current Ireland captain was ruled out of the upcoming Lions tour to Australia after suffering a serious shoulder injury during Leinster’s Investec Champions Cup defeat to Northampton Saints.

Doris is likely to miss the next six months in what is a cruel blow for the outstanding number eight, who was favourite to lead Andy Farrell’s men down under before disaster struck.

One of the world’s best

O’Driscoll very much felt for the 27-year-old, particularly with the Leinster and Ireland star proving himself to be one of the best in the world over the past couple of seasons.

“There’s nothing good in it. I spoke to Caelan a few days after the injury, and I think he knew the writing was on the wall around the significance of the injury,” he told Off The Ball.

“Like any champion, he tried to put a positive spin on it, but you could see the disappointment and everyone’s feeling it for him.

“He’s at the height of his powers, he’s 27 years of age, he’s just been captain of Ireland. We’ll never know if he was going to be Lions captain or not but he was certainly very much in the reckoning because he was maybe one of three players that felt as though they’re a shoo-in – along with [Maro] Itoje and [Dan] Sheehan – for starting places in the Tests.

“For that all to be gone, having missed the last tour to South Africa as well, having to wait another four years and not knowing what’s to come in that time, it’s bitterly disappointing for him. He will take a while to recover from it. It’s a hard couple of months ahead of him.”

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‘Ignorance is bliss’

O’Driscoll believes that Doris will use the next two months to try and forget about rugby, but the Ireland legend admits that it will be difficult for the talented back-rower.

“He will be wishing all the Irish guys well but it’s really sad he’s not a part of it. I’m sure he will probably try and disconnect himself from rugby for a period of time and ignorance is bliss in that regard,” he added.

“It’s very hard to escape anything now with our phones, the connection with people, the conversations people are having around the time of the Lions. It will be impossible for him to stay away from it.

“I really am so disappointed for him in missing out on this huge opportunity.”

READ MORE: Caelan Doris’ worst Lions tour fears are confirmed as Leinster issue post-operation update