Ireland forced to replace two players as new captain named for Nations Championship
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Sidelined.
The Ireland squad will depart for Sydney on Monday ahead of the Nations Championship Southern Series, and there have been two enforced changes to the squad following Leinster’s URC final victory on Friday evening.
Leinster made it back-to-back URC titles with victory over the Bulls on Friday night, but that victory has come at a high cost.
Captain Caelan Doris (foot) and Tommy O’Brien (groin) have been ruled out of the matches against Australia (Saturday, 4 July), Japan (Saturday, 11 July), and New Zealand (Saturday, 18 July).
They have been replaced by Ulster’s uncapped duo, Bryn Ward and Zac Ward.
Leinster hooker Dan Sheehan will now lead the three-match Tour as captain in place of Doris.
A squad update ahead of our departure for Sydney. pic.twitter.com/efEVUBEuif
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) June 20, 2026
