Caelan Doris Injury: What We Know So Far

Ireland captain Caelan Doris has been ruled out of the British & Irish Lions tour after it was confirmed he’ll undergo surgery on an injury picked up against Northampton Saints. The “Ballina-native was all but cemented” to go on the tour, but now faces a recovery period of four to six months.

Front-runners: Tom Willis and Ben Earl

With Doris out, England’s Tom Willis and Ben Earl have emerged as the front-runners to claim the number eight spot. Willis is a specialist at the position and replicates Doris’ playing style, while Earl has shown his prowess there in his Test career.

• Tom Willis: A like-for-like replacement with a similar style to Doris, Willis can make the hard yards in the tight and bash through the gainline.
• Ben Earl: Earl is at his best when he has a big carrier alongside him and can exploit his pace in broken field.

In the Mix: Jack Conan, Taulupe Faletau and Henry Pollock

Several other players are in contention for the number eight spot, including Jack Conan, Taulupe Faletau, and Henry Pollock.

• Jack Conan: The Leinster man has deputised well for Doris and has Test experience with the Lions.
• Taulupe Faletau: The experienced Welshman has toured with the Lions before and is looking back to his best form.
• Henry Pollock: Man of the moment Pollock could end up at eight and brings immense quality to the back row.

Outside Bets: Jack Dempsey and Aaron Wainwright

Scotland’s Jack Dempsey and Wales’ Aaron Wainwright are also in contention. Both can add versatility to the back row and could be great shouts if called upon.