Caelan Doris OUT! Eight replacements to captain Ireland and possible back-row options as Simon Easterby contends with injury crisis
From left to right: Caelan Doris, Peter O'Mahony and Jack Conan
Ireland have suffered a crucial blow on the eve of their Six Nations clash with Wales, with skipper Caelan Doris ruled out of the Test.
“Ireland captain Caelan Doris and hooker Ronán Kelleher have been ruled out of the match against Wales on Saturday,” an IRFU statement read. “While Tadhg Furlong is continuing to make progress but will not be available for selection.”
It added: “Doris picked up a knee injury the Round 2 clash with Scotland while Kelleher is being managed for a neck issue.”
The replacement for Kelleher is all but confirmed already too, with Dan Sheehan in pole position to retake the number two jersey, but Doris is a harder option to account for given he is Ireland’s current captain.
Who will captain Ireland against Wales?
When quizzed on potential men to take up the mantel as captain, Ireland attack coach Andrew Goodman said: “There are some good leaders in the squad. We are going through that process.”
“Obviously the leadership group has been growing well over the last couple of years and there’s a number of guys who have captained their provinces. So we have got some good options to choose from.”
But, who could they look to for the upcoming Test against Wales? Well, Planet Rugby breaks down the key runners and riders to captain Ireland this weekend.
Front-runners: Peter O’Mahony, Jack Conan, James Ryan
The three leading contenders to take the captaincy this weekend are surely former skipper Peter O’Mahony, the likely number eight replacement Jack Conan and former Leinster co-captain James Ryan.
Ireland squad: Caelan Doris fears confirmed as key duo add to growing injury list for Wales clash
O’Mahony’s recent Test captaincy experience, leading his team to the 2024 Six Nations title, probably makes him the leading contender for the armband against Wales, but any one of these three would make a fine captain, as O’Mahony did during his time, but they are all major leaders within this Irish squad.
In the mix: Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, Tadhg Beirne
Outside of this, you would imagine Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki and Tadhg Beirne are also names being thrown around the coaches’ offices ahead of Saturday’s Test. Again, all three men have become major leaders within this Ireland squad in recent years and would be nice options to replace Doris.
Ringrose and Beirne also have recent captaincy experience, with the centre joining James Ryan as co-captain last year and Beirne is also currently the captain of Munster. You feel they are just behind the aforementioned trio, though, but it wouldn’t be a massive surprise if one of these guys was named captain.
Outside bets: Dan Sheehan, Cian Prendergast
These ones might seem like left-field picks, particularly Prendergast who is outside of the 23-man squad right now, however, they have been namechecked by attack coach Goodman.
“Guys like Peter O’Mahony and Jack Conan have captained their provinces,” he said. “Dan Sheehan has, Ringer (Garry Ringrose), JR (James Ryan), Cian Prendergast, there are a number of guys with leadership experience, so a few possibilities there.”
Again, they are probably a bit lower down the list, especially compared to the ones mentioned above, but the fact their name is thrown into the mix is a good sign for them. Prendergast is also the current Connacht captain too, so that’s a big tick in his box.
Who will start at number eight against Wales?
Whilst the captaincy is a big issue, replacing Doris in that back-row is also something Simon Easterby has to ponder. Doris has started 42 consecutive Tests in a row, a run which stretches back to the 2021 Six Nations.
The Leinsterman has become the first name on the teamsheet for both Andy Farrell and Easterby in that time too, so whoever comes into that shirt has big boots to fill.
Almost certainly: Jack Conan
It’s almost a foregone conclusion that Jack Conan will slot in at number eight this weekend. The Leinsterman is already a firm member of the Ireland 23-man squad, and has made some impressive cameos from the bench already this Six Nations too, so making the step back into the starting line-up wouldn’t be too hard for him.
Conan was also Ireland’s starter a few years ago before Doris announced himself onto the Test stage too, and did a very solid job from the off against Wales.
Maybe?: Peter O’Mahony
Again, Conan will likey slot straight in, but should Easterby still want to keep Conan on the bench then O’Mahony could a good option to shift over to the eight jersey. O’Mahony really impressed upon his return to the starting XV last time out, and would only continue his work against Wales. Crucially, he is another serious workhorse around the park and would almost perfectly replace the impact of Doris in the tight. Him moving over to eight would then also open a spot elsewhere in the back-row, which could give someone like Cian Prendergast or John Hodnett a go.
Unlikely: Gavin Coombs, John Hodnett
Munster duo Gavin Coombs and John Hodnett have been called into the squad and could easily see themselves drafted straight into the starting XV. Coombs would be a great direct replacement for Doris at number eight, and is bang in-form too after some impressive performances for his club. He also plays a similar style to Doris as well, which would ensure continuity in Easterby’s side.
As mentioned above, Hodnett could get a shot if Peter O’Mahony then moves over to number eight. Again, he has been in good form for Munster this year, with five tries in his 13 appearances to date, and would inject a new dynamic to the Ireland back-row.
