Andy Farrell backs Caelan Doris to bounce back after injury robs Irish captain of Lions tour

PRIDE: British & Irish Lions Head Coach Andy Farrell, and captain Maro Itoje. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Andy Farrell has backed his Ireland captain Caelan Doris to bounce back “bigger and stronger” after injury robbed the Mayo man of his first touring role with the iconic British and Irish Lions.

Doris was believed to be in a two-horse race to captain the squad being assembled by Farrell who is on sabbatical from the IRFU to act as head coach for the tourists in Australia this summer.

But a should injury suffered during Leinster’s Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton Saints last Saturday has ultimately scuppered the player’s hopes and he was not among the 38 players announced in the squad here on Thursday.

“He’s devastated,” said Farrell. “He would have definitely been in the mix, such an experienced player and leader. It's devastating for people like that but the stories are constant in every single tour, aren't they, and sport can be cruel sometimes.

“Caelan will be back bigger and stronger."

Farrell explained that the last selection meeting with his coaching team had started on Wednesday morning and that he expected it to be done in an hour. In the end, it was three o’clock before they wrapped everything up.

"That says it all really and that's how it should be. It should be unbelievably difficult."

Among all the questions about who would and would not make it was an overarching one: how much store would the coaches put in credit long lodged in the bank against recent form? As always with these things, there was some from column A and from column B.

"Everything gets thrown into it. Of course, there's credit in the bank from a lot of people as well. Knowing where people are as far as injuries are concerned, when they're coming back and how healthy they are going to be. Form is certainly part of the whole mix but it's not necessarily the be-all and end-all. We need to be balanced about all these things."

In the end, he chose 15 Irish players, despite recent big losses suffered by the men in green and bulk suppliers Leinster, 13 from England, another eight from Scotland and just two from Wales who will have their smallest cohort since World War II.

Connacht, with two, have as many as the entire Principality.

The likes of Blair Kinghorn, James Ryan and Mack Hansen got the vote despite current injury issues, Elliott Daly and Marcus Smith had versatility on their side but others came up just shy for one reason or another.

There was no Sam Prendergast or Robbie Henshaw. Jamie George, George Ford and Courtney Lawes all missed out. Dewi Lake didn’t bring the Welsh number to three. And the boss’ son, is on standby at best.

Owen Farrell hasn’t played Test rugby since the 2023 World Cup, his form at Racing 92 this season has been patchy on the less than regular occasions when injury hasn’t stopped him from playing. His selection would have been a big story, so is his absence.

"He was in the conversation, obviously,” said his old man. “An experienced player like that, probably going for his fourth tour. You cover all bases, that's for sure, with the leadership qualities and all of that.

“But we got to the point where, like a few other players, you feel that Owen is still trying to find his way a little bit back to fitness, like others. There's 38 picked, which leaves a couple of slots open for us down the track if and when needed.

“Owen, like a few other guys, would be in that type of bracket."

Among the big winners, aside from the injured players shown some faith by the management, was Fin Smith whose performance for the Saints last weekend must have cemented his case ahead of Sam Prendergast at out-half.

The biggest cheer of the day when the names were being announced at the Indigo theatre at the 02 came for 20-year old Henry Pollock who delivered an explosive performance in that Aviva Stadium game for Northampton.

“I've watched him a couple of times live and I like what I see,” said Farrell. “With all top players, he's always trying to make a difference. There's an energy and a bounce about him of trying to make a difference. That's how you have big moments in the game, because you're searching for them. That's what I like seeing in his game."

Twenty-six will tour for the first time, nine for a second and just two for a third and it was confirmed that there has been no early release secured for Toulouse full-back Kinghorn who will travel Down Under only once the club’s Top 14 schedule is done.