Leinster and Ireland backrow Caelan Doris has been named captain for the season. The Mayo native replaces co-captains James Ryan and Garry Ringrose in the role.
Doris has become one of the most well-established names in world rugby for Leinster and Ireland. He has played 83 times for Leinster and has been capped on 43 occasions by Ireland.
The Leinster star has won three PRO14 titles with Leinster and two Six Nations titles with Ireland, including the Grand Slam in 2023. In that same year, Doris was voted Rugby Players Ireland Players’ Player of the Year, as well as the Bank of Ireland Leinster Players’ Player of the Year.
Reflecting on being given the Leinster armband, Doris said, “It’s a massive privilege for me to be leading this group.
“I’m fortunate to have so many quality players and staff around me whose advice and input will be crucial. It was special to get the opportunity to captain Leinster several times last season and I’m excited to do the same again this year.
Caelan Doris (Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)“There’s no shortage of ambition within this group, and we’re all looking forward to the new season and representing the supporters, our communities, and the 12 counties of Leinster in the Aviva Stadium, Croke Park, and beyond.”
Leinster Rugby Head Coach Leo Cullen admitted that he was delighted Doris accepted the captaincy: “We’re delighted to announce Caelan Doris as Leinster captain for the forthcoming season.
“Caelan has come off an exceptional 12 months, beginning at last year’s Rugby World Cup and culminating with him captaining Ireland to victory over world champions South Africa in Durban this summer.
“Over the course of last season, our supporters will have seen not only how Caelan performed himself but also how he grew into the captaincy role when given that opportunity both with Leinster and Ireland. He is an outstanding leader and a natural choice to lead Leinster into what we hope will be an exciting season.”
Leinster start their new United Rugby Championship campaign against Edinburgh on 20 September. That game kicks off at 19:35.
