STORM TRACKER: Follow 'Storm Amy' as it bears down on Ireland amid brutal forecast
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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Mayo native Caelan Doris has been back in camp with the Ireland team since Monday. The back rower and his teammates prepare for the upcoming Six Nations tournament which kicks off against England on Saturday week.
Doris was named Ireland captain by head coach Andy Farrell last October, following in the footsteps of Munster legend Peter O'Mahony. Doris will try to lead Ireland to a third successive Six Nations win, which hasn't been achieved by any team in the competition's history.
Ireland will embark on this historic quest without Farrell, who is on his British and Irish Lions sabbatical, preparing for the tour to Australia this summer. His assistant coach Simon Easterby will take over the role as interim head coach in the meantime.
"Simon has been unbelievable for us for the last number of years, he took the lineout initially and then the defensive role," Doris said on irishrugby.ie: "Simon has a tonne of respect among players in how he leads and the one-on-one time he puts in with players.
So a lot you look for in a head coach, it’s been there. We’ve seen it in the last few years. Andy Farrell has obviously been a massive figure for us, but Johnny Sexton has been a massive figure for us in the past who left and instead of one person trying to fill the void it’s been a shared responsibility.
So, I’m sure the leadership group will take a little bit of that on too, but yeah, there’s a tonne of faith in Simon, definitely.”
READ: Caelan Doris honoured in home town
The bookies have Ireland and France down as favourites, to win this year's Six Nations: "I hadn’t looked at the bookies actually. It’s still just being aware of how competitive it is and it’s about improving and preparing as best as possible. I don’t think we take that (the betting odds) into account too much. There’s an awareness that if we don’t keep improving, someone else will take the reins," Doris explained.
READ: Mayo team not expected to challenge for Sam Maguire glory this year
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