NEW IRELAND COACH Noel McNamara has been dealt a significant injury blow ahead of the U20 Six Nations with news that Caelan Doris will miss the tournament with a grade two hamstring tear.
The number eight suffered the injury during the warm-up game against a Leinster development side at Donnybrook before Christmas and now faces a minimum of eight weeks on the sideline.
Doris, who is in the first year of the Leinster academy programme but has recently featured for the province’s ‘A’ team, also missed the pool stages of last summer’s U20 World Championship through injury.
The loss of the 19-year-old is a huge setback for Ireland heading into their campaign opener against France on 2 February following his powerful performances during last year’s championship.
Doris started all five games during the 2017 Six Nations when playing a year young at that age level and was added to Leinster’s squad for their Pro14 trip to South Africa earlier in the season as injury cover.
As it stands, there are no other major injury concerns for Ireland heading into the Six Nations following their games against Leinster and Munster development sides before and after Christmas.
Head coach McNamara, who has taken over from Peter Malone, is due to announce his squad for the tournament on the week of 22 January, with the likes of Conor Dean, Tommy O’Brien, Jonny Stewart and Jack Aungier all in line to be included.
Leinster Senior Schools Cup-winning duo with Belvedere Max Kearney and Hugh O’Sullivan have both been involved in the extended panel, while former St Andrew’s College man Peter Sullivan has impressed with three tries, including a match-winning brace against Munster at Thomond Park.
After the round one game in Brive, Ireland host Italy and Wales at Donnybrook before finishing their campaign with trips to Wales and England.
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Can’t help but wonder what if Ferris was still playing that would be a frightening back row.
True. Ferris would be an upgrade on Stander
Two bulldozers! Only one more sleep lads
Can’t wait to see them 3 get stuck in and cause complete mayhem
CJ and SOB are gona tear the frogs a new arsehole
When u think o mahony and Henderson has to come back into this squad,and Wat they both bring to De table,and with the quality ireland have right across all back positions now,and De quality coming through,irish rugby is definitely, at international level,in a great place..
Shame that knob jockey pape won’t be playing. We won’t get to see Seanie give him a cuddle!
Thought ruddock was on bench not TOD?
There was some confusion yesterday but it is the TOD.
It shows the quality we have in the back row when Ruddock can’t get in the 23.
Or when POM isn’t missed. (Tactically, personally we still miss him)
Disagree with that, I am biased against Munster and despite that I think he is arguably Ireland’s best forward – he is always immense when he plays for Ireland – I don’t think Stander, Henry or O’Donnell can match him
I’m a huge POM fan and really think he adds something extra. But if we lose we won’t be saying “of only Peter had been playing”. His replacement doesn’t fall THAT far short.
Just consider for a moment Henderson playing at 6 along with Stander at 8 and O’Brien at 7.
That would be the dream combination
Just need to find pace on the Inge and power in the second row and then we have a team to be feared
I’d have Henderson at second row. Completely fills the position but the advantage of another back row in the loose.
You’d sort of be missing Heaslip at 8 there, lad
Can’t wait for an ireland win..