Skipper.

Ireland star Caelan Doris has spoken about the future of the Ireland captaincy following his exploits in South Africa over the summer.

Peter O’Mahony was named Ireland captain ahead of the Six Nations last year following Johnny Sexton’s retirement and led the men in green to a successful defence of their championship.

But with the flanker set to retire at the end of next season after signing a final one-year deal with Munster, the future of the Ireland captaincy is a big talking point heading into the new campaign.

O’Mahony started the first Test against South Africa over the summer in Pretoria before he was subsequently dropped for the second Test with Doris taking over the mantle, where he led Ireland to a famous victory.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Doris said he is yet to hear anything on the captaincy but expects O’Mahony to be involved in the November tests, hinting that the captaincy might not be his just yet.

“I haven’t heard anything about it [the Ireland captaincy],” he said.

“And Pete has signed for another year and has done an unbelievable job. He was tour captain [in South Africa] and I am sure he will be involved in November as well.”

Doris has also been tipped for the British and Irish Lions captaincy, with Ireland head coach Andy Farrell set to take charge of the touring side in Australia, but he isn’t looking that far ahead just yet.

“It is just under a year away and there is plenty of rugby to be played between now and then. I am genuinely not thinking that far ahead,” he added.

“Over these next two weeks, before I return to training, there is going to be a lot of goal-setting and most of that will be around my game and how I want to evolve and get better as a player.

“There’s a hell of a lot of competition in the back-row in the northern hemisphere in general. Even within Ireland, you’ve got so much depth and in Leinster, there is quality in the back-row.

“There are always guys coming from above and below. You need to perform, which is a good thing.”