The Lion king in waiting? Why Ireland’s new talisman Caelan Doris fits the bill

The country boy from Lacken who is now a world-class No 8 on enjoying captaincy, a fascination with psychology and his penchant for hot yoga

THE LION KING: Leinster’s Caelan Doris during the Champions Cup launch. Pic: Credit ©INPHO/James Crombie

It will be another six months before Andy Farrell finally has to choose his British & Irish Lions captain for the 2025 expedition to Australia.

Plenty of time for the landscape to change and, theoretically, for one or two surprise contenders to emerge from the shrubbery. Until, that is, you sit down with the staggeringly impressive Caelan Doris and realise there is little need for Farrell to look anywhere else.