DUBLIN โ Ireland and Leinster rugby team are facing a significant setback as Captain Caelan Doris will be sidelined for a substantial period following shoulder surgery.
The Leinster rugby club announced in a recent statement on Monday that Doris underwent a medical procedure last week to address a shoulder injury. The recovery process is likely to keep him out of action for a duration of four to six months. This has undoubtedly disappointed fans and team members as they anticipate his return.
The debilitating injury occurred on May 3 during a hard-fought match between Leinster and Northampton at the Champions Cup semifinals, where Leinster faced a narrow defeat with a score of 37-34.
The injury is especially disheartening for Doris as it has eliminated his opportunity to participate in what would have been his inaugural involvement with the prestigious British and Irish Lions squad. Additionally, he was considered a strong candidate to lead the squad as captain on their upcoming tour of Australia scheduled for next month.
Nevertheless, if Dorisโ rehabilitation proceeds smoothly without any complications, there is optimism that he could make a comeback in time for Irelandโs November test matches. In those fixtures, the Irish national team is set to compete against several formidable opponents, including New Zealand, Japan, Australia, and world champions South Africa.
Such an absence of a player of Dorisโ caliber will indeed be a challenge for both Leinster and the national team. However, his recovery journey will be closely monitored, with hopes high for his timely return and subsequent contribution to Irelandโs international rugby endeavors.