Rugby-Ireland captain Doris to miss Nations Championship tests

Ireland captain Caelan Doris has been ruled out of the Nations Championship matches due to a foot injury, with Dan Sheehan taking over as captain.

Ireland captain Caelan Doris has been ​forced out of their ​opening Nations Championship matches ‌next month ​after suffering injury in Leinster’s United Rugby Championship triumph on Friday. Leinster hooker Dan Sheehan takes ‌over as captain for the tests against Australia, Japan and New Zealand, the Irish Rugby Union said on Saturday.

Doris hurt his foot early in ‌Leinster’s runaway 36-7 victory over the Bulls at Crowe Park. Teammate Tommy ‌O’Brien, who scored the opening try in Friday’s win, is also out of the trip with a groin issue.

Ulster’s uncapped brothers Bryn and Zac Ward have been ⁠named ​as replacements. The 21-year-old ⁠Bryn is a former Ireland Under-20 international who had only made nine appearances for ⁠Ulster before a call-up this year to Ireland's Six Nations squad.

The 27-year-old ​Zac scored 15 tries in 20 games for Ulster this season. ⁠They are the sons of New Zealand-born former Irish international flanker Andy Ward. Ireland’s plans ⁠had ​already been hit by injuries to flyhalf Jack Crowley and loosehead prop Andrew Porter, in addition to Ryan Baird, Shayne Bolton, ⁠Jack Boyle, Edwin Edogbo, Tom Farrell, Mack Hansen, Paddy McCarthy and Calvin ⁠Nash.

The squad departs ⁠on Monday to Sydney ahead of their opening game of the new competition against the Wallabies on ‌July 4. (Writing ‌by Mark Gleeson in Atlanta; Editing ​by Ed Osmond)