Ireland captain Caelan Doris emerges as a massive doubt for Lions tour - Jacques Nienaber tells how it is

Caelan Doris is a major doubt for the 2025 Lions Tour following sustaining a shoulder injury in the European Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton last Saturday.

The Ireland captain played down his shoulder injury when talking in the immediate aftermath of the game.

But fears as to the extent of the injury were heightened yesterday as it was revealed he had been sent for scans.

Doris was considered slight favourite to be 2025 Lions captain, ahead of Maro Itoje, Sione Tuipulotu with Jamie George considered a long outsider.

But will be in a significant race against time as Leinster have just two URC league-proper games left and with the further potential for three further knockout games.

Said Jacques Nienaber at Leinster training today: "Since I have been at Leinster, I don't think Caelan has ever ever left the field with an injury, replaced and subbed yes.

"He is a hard man generally, so that's not good. He saw a specialist and they are doing a procedure on it this week.

"Fingers crossed they go in and there is not too much structural damage. My official knowledge is a little bit woozy but if there isn't structural damage, maybe four to six weeks.

"If there is it could go up to anything as big as six months."

Added Josh van der Flier of playing without Doris for the last quarter: "Caelan had a few big carries, that was a very impressive 50/22 just after his try.

"It is obviously not ideal having Caelan coming off, he is probably the best player in Ireland at the moment.

"The calmness he brings is brilliant but I have found in the past in situations like that, as a team we have always remained calm, even when we got into huddles, I felt we were calm.

"We have been in loads of positions in games where I've had to play on the wing, throw in the ball, other players have had to adapt.

"I don't think losing Caelan's (leadership) flustered us too much at the time."

Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email.