Leinster confirm brutal extent of Caelan Doris injury lay-off

Leinster have confirmed that Caelan Doris will be sidelined for between four and six months following surgery on the injury he sustained during their Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton Saints.

The province revealed on Monday that the backrower underwent a procedure last Friday and is expected to miss the opening months of the 2025/26 season. The upper end of that estimate would see Doris return around mid-November.

The 27-year-old’s omission from Andy Farrell’s 38-man Lions squad last week had already hinted at a serious issue, and the prognosis removes any doubt around the No.8’s contention for the tour of Australia as a late call-up.

Doris sustained the injury during Leinster’s semi-final exit to Northampton, and Leinster confirmed: “Caelan Doris: had a procedure on Friday last week for a shoulder injury which will keep him out of action for between four to six months.”

Speaking after Leinster’s 76–5 win over Zebre Parma, Cullen reflected on a hard week for Doris: “You could see when he did it at the time on the sideline, trying to get an offload away. But even after that, he scores a try, rips the ball out of a player’s arms, and puts in a 50:22. And that’s all after the event.

“He’s gutted for the team. That was hurting him more than anything else at the start of the week and then as the week goes on, other things start to dawn on him. He’s been outstanding here. We wish him a speedy opportunity and hopefully he will get another chance to go on a trip like that, but unfortunately for him it won’t be this time.”

Doris was widely considered a contender for the Lions captaincy, with his leadership credentials and consistent form marking him out as one of Farrell’s most trusted players.

“I have [spoken to him],” said Farrell. “You can imagine he’s devastated. He would have definitely been in the mix [to be Lions captain], he’s such an experienced player and leader.”

Leinster also provided an update on several other squad members ahead of their URC run-in.

James Ryan is available for selection after coming through his return from injury against Zebre Parma at the weekend with no issues.

Rookie backrower James Culhane will be further assessed this week for an arm injury before a decision is made on his involvement.

There were no further updates on Jordan Larmour, Will Connors or Brian Deeny, all of whom remain sidelined.