Caelan Doris left out of Ireland’s Nations Championship squad due to injury

Ireland have been dealt another significant injury blow ahead of the Nations Championship Southern Series, with captain Caelan Doris and centre Tommy O’Brien both ruled out after picking up knocks in Leinster’s URC final win on Friday.

Doris was forced off at Croke Park with a foot injury, while O’Brien also came out of the match carrying a groin issue. Both players have since been withdrawn from Andy Farrell’s squad.

In their place, Ulster’s uncapped brothers Bryn Ward and Zac Ward have been called up as late additions to the touring group.

The pair will now miss Ireland’s upcoming fixtures against Australia on July 4, Japan on July 11, and New Zealand on July 18.

It adds another headache for Farrell, who is preparing to fly the squad out to Sydney on Monday. Leinster hooker Dan Sheehan will take on the captaincy duties for the three-match tour.

Farrell, who recently extended his contract, is already dealing with a growing injury list that has removed several key players from selection.

Jack Crowley, Andrew Porter and Mack Hansen are all already sidelined. Crowley, who had re-established himself as Ireland’s first-choice fly-half during the 2026 Six Nations, missed the end of the season with Munster due to a rare nerve issue in his leg. Porter and Hansen have also had disrupted campaigns through injury.

The IRFU also confirmed a further seven players are unavailable, with Ryan Baird, Shayne Bolton, Jack Boyle, Edwin Edogbo, Tom Farrell, Paddy McCarthy and Calvin Nash all ruled out.