Confirmation of Doris’ captaincy is the latest development in the 26-year-old’s stunning rise to the highest echelons of rugby.
It does not come as the greatest surprise given that, in Farrell, Doris has always had an important fan. Indeed, one of Farrell’s first moves as Ireland head coach was to install Doris in the back row for the 2020 Six Nations. He has rarely been out of the team since.
Doris has, however, repaid Farrell’s faith with a string of assured performances in the Irish back row.
Indeed, when a calf niggle ruled O’Mahony of the Six Nations match against Italy in February, Doris passed his first assignment as captain when he led Ireland to a 36-0 win over the Azzurri.
With O’Mahony missing again, Doris then skippered Ireland to a stunning win over world champions South Africa in Durban before taking over the Leinster captaincy for the 2024-25 season, succeeding co-captains James Ryan and Garry Ringrose.
Now, with four games to develop his leadership style and work on communicating with referees after being warned by Luke Pearce in South Africa, Doris has the chance to thrust himself firmly into the reckoning to be Farrell’s Lions captain for next summer’s tour to Australia.