IRELAND HAVE SUFFERED an injury blow ahead of Sunday’s Six Nations opener against Wales in Cardiff, with number eight Caelan Doris ruled out due to injury.
The 22-year-old has returned to Leinster after he “flagged some symptoms that could be associated with concussion,” according to an IRFU injury update.
It’s unclear how long Doris will now be sidelined for as he departs Ireland camp “to allow his symptoms to be appropriately assessed and investigated.”
Doris had been favourite to start in Ireland’s number eight shirt at the Principality Stadium this weekend but CJ Stander will now be expected to line out at the back of the scrum.
Ireland boss Andy Farrell will also be without second row Quinn Roux, who has returned to Connacht due to “a neck complaint that has not settled.”
Ireland assistant coach Paul O’Connell said this afternoon that they are unsure how long Doris and Roux will be out of action for.
“They are two injuries you don’t ever want to be messing around with,” said O’Connell. “You have to be careful.
“Caelan is obviously a fantastic player. I would have worked with him with the U20s and he was incredible. He has that x-factor and you need those players in world rugby now.
“I played against Quinn towards the end of my time and he was excellent. We had a laugh about my last game against Connacht, we lost to them in the Sportsground and he was brilliant that day.
“He’s a big man, great ideas in the lineout, so well-coached by Jimmy Duffy up in Connacht, so it’s been disappointing not to have him in now going forward.”
Otherwise, Ireland have reported that all other squad members are expected to train this week.
Captain Johnny Sexton recently suffered a minor hamstring issue but he now looks clear to take his place in the number 10 shirt for Sunday.
Farrell has called up the uncapped pair of Gavin Coombes and Ryan Baird to his wider training squad this week after losing Doris and Roux.
The 23-year-old Munster back row and 21-year-old Leinster lock are seen as major prospects in Irish rugby and will be excited to link up with Farrell’s squad ahead of the Wales game.
