CAELAN DORIS says it is an “enormous honour” to be named Ireland captain for next month’s Autumn Nations Series.
The Leinster back row got a taste of the captaincy earlier this year and will now assume the role for Aviva Stadium duels with New Zealand, Argentina, Fiji and Australia.
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Caelan Doris will captain Ireland in an Autumn Nations Series that begins against New Zealand on November 8
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Leinster starlet Sam Prendergast has been called into the Ireland squad by Andy Farrell
He will lead a squad that contains uncapped pair Cormac Izuchukwu and Sam Prendergast.
Doris said: “It is an enormous honour to be named Ireland captain and I am excited about leading the squad into battle over the coming weeks.”
The 26-year-old added: “I am extremely proud to lead this squad and I know that there is an experienced group of leaders who will work hard to achieve success in the weeks ahead.”
Fellow back-rower Peter O’Mahony, 35, who was named as successor to Johnny Sexton as captain after the out-half’s retirement, is part of the 35-man squad named by Andy Farrell.
But the IRFU say he will continue his recovery from hamstring trouble with Munster next week ‘as he builds towards a return to action over the coming weeks’.
Wing Mack Hansen is back in the squad after a shoulder injury meant he missed the Six Nations success and tour of South Africa, but hooker Dan Sheehan and No 8 Jack Conan are ruled out.
Sheehan’s fellow hooker Rónan Kelleher is in the squad but in a race against time to be fit for the November 8 opener against the All Blacks.
Rob Herring is also in despite fitness concerns, with the door ajar at No 2 for Connacht’s Dave Heffernan.
Ulster lock Izuchukwu, 24, and Leinster fly-half Prendergast, 21, both starred recently for the Emerging Ireland side.
Farrell said: “The Emerging Ireland tours have presented a crop of less-experienced players with the opportunity to impress.
“It was great to see a number of them take their chance.”
The Ireland boss added: “There is a blend of youth and experience, but all of the players are selected on merit.
“While some of the players have been sidelined of late.
“Collectively they are making positive strides on the injury front and we are hopeful they will come into the selection frame over the course of the coming weeks.”
Meanwhile, Toulouse lock Joshua Brennan, son of former Ireland star Trevor, has been called into the France squad for games against Japan, New Zealand and Argentina.
The 22-year-old was born in Dublin but has lived in France for most of his life.