Ireland captain Caelan Doris will miss July’s Nations Championship fixtures against Australia, Japan and New Zealand after suffering a foot injury.
The back-row forward was forced off early in Leinster’s United Rugby Championship final victory over the Bulls at Croke Park on Friday. Despite briefly returning to lift the trophy and join the celebrations at full time, the injury has since ruled him out of the summer tour.
Leinster wing Tommy O’Brien has also been ruled out after sustaining a groin injury in the same match.
Ulster duo Bryn and Zac Ward have been drafted into the squad as replacements, while hooker Dan Sheehan will take over the captaincy in Doris’s absence.
Andy Farrell’s side depart for Sydney on Monday ahead of their Nations Championship opener against Australia on 4 July. They will also face Japan on 11 July before taking on New Zealand at Eden Park the following week.
The double setback is a blow for Ireland, who are already without fly-half Jack Crowley and prop Andrew Porter.
Doris initially limped off in the seventh minute of the final but later returned to the field, lifting the URC trophy with his teammates. He later confirmed the injury would be assessed, but it has proved serious enough to end his involvement in the tour.
O’Brien, who scored in Leinster’s Investec Champions Cup final defeat by Bordeaux, had enjoyed another strong season before being forced off with a groin issue against the Bulls.
The Ward brothers’ call-ups come after standout seasons with Ulster, who now contribute 10 players to the Ireland squad following a resurgent campaign. Zac Ward, 27, a former Ireland Sevens player, has also featured in Emerging Ireland and Ireland A fixtures, while 21-year-old Bryn Ward enjoyed a breakthrough season and played a key role in Ulster’s run to the Challenge Cup final.
