Caelan Doris might only be 26 but he’s already cemented himself as one of Irish rugby’s biggest names.
The Leinster player has been named as the captain of the Irish squad for the autumn nations series and was recently named a Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland player of the year – but what else do we know about the sportsman?
From his family cheering him on at the sidelines to his friendships with others on the team and his new romance, here’s everything you need to know about Caelan…
Who is Caelan Doris?
Caelan Doris. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Caelan Doris is 26 years old and from Ballina in Co Mayo. He was raised in the village of Lacken and went to the tiny Creevagh National School where he was one of only two boys in the class. Before finding rugby, he was part of the Naomh Pádraig Gaelic football club, according to the Irish Times.
He attended Blackrock College in Dublin and it was during his time at the boarding school that his passion and talent for rugby really flourished. According to Planet Rugby, in 2014 he was part of the Blackrock team which won the Leinster Schools Senior Rugby Cup. This team also included Caelan’s current Ireland teammate Hugo Keenan.
As well as playing professional rugby, Caelan has also earned a degree in Psychology from University College Dublin and is also studying for a Master’s in Applied Neuroscience from King’s College in London.
Personal life
Caelan Doris and Faye Richardson. Pic: Instagram
Many of the Ireland rugby team are happily coupled up or married, and Caelan is no different.
He hard -aunched his new girlfriend Faye Richardson at the Leinster Rugby Awards Ball in June, and has shared a few snaps with her on social media since.
Caelan Doris and Faye Richardson. Pic: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Faye obtained a degree in French and Spanish from University College Dublin and now works in KPMG.
Rugby career so far and Ireland debut
Caelan Doris at an Ireland Rugby Press Conference in France. Pic: INPHO
Caelan joined the Leinster Academy in 2017 and then Ireland u20. He made his Ireland debut in 2020 in a game against Scotland.
In December 2023 it was confirmed that Caelan had signed a three-year contract extension with the IRFU to keep him playing for Leinster Rugby until 2027.
He was named the Bank of Ireland’s Men’s XVs Players’ Players of the Year 2023 by his fellow sportsmen at the 2023 Rugby Players Ireland Awards.
In November 2024, Caelan claimed the men’s senior player award at the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Awards. Aoife Wafer took home the women’s player award.
Overcoming struggles
Ireland’s Caelan Doris with his friends after the Ireland vs Scotland during the Rugby World Cup 2023. Pic: INPHO
Caelan has been vocal about his struggle with concussion. His first Ireland cap lasted only four minutes after he sustained a head injury and he had to miss out on the 2021 Six Nations Championship.
He sought out professional help in the UK and has since said although it was ‘tough’ making the decision to step back and deal with his health, that it was the right one.
Tommy Bowe praised Caelan for being so candid, telling Extra: ‘When we see someone like Doris – who is in the prime of his career – stepping aside and making that call rather than waiting for a doctor to pull him aside is really important.’
Friendships on the team
Caelan Doris with Hugo Keenan (left) and Ronan Kelleher (middle) in February 2023. Pic: Caelan Doris/Instagram
The Leinster star is a familiar face on the Ireland squad now and is great pals with many of the other lads on the team.
Hugo Keenan told EVOKE in 2023 that he lives with Caelan and Ronan Kelleher, so they spend plenty of time together.
Being captain
Caelan Doris during the Autumn Nations Series match between Ireland and New Zealand. Pic: Sportsfile
Chatting about being captain Leinster and Ireland, Caelan told the Irish Daily Mail: ‘I feel like by doing it and by being in the role and getting weeks on weeks compounding, my capacity is growing a little bit. I’m getting more comfortable in the role, getting a little more used to the extra responsibilities.
‘With that comes enjoying it a bit more, being present, still being able to be off when I’m off and not worrying about the next thing and the next thing. At the start I would have always been, “okay, I’ve got this done now, what do I need to do next?” and preparing stuff in my head.
‘I’m a little bit more able to take it in my stride, and enjoy it a little bit more, and know that there’s so many good leaders around me. There’s also that element of pressure, especially given the New Zealand game didn’t go how we wanted and then you’re feeling “God, we have to win this week now”.’
Caelan Doris during the Autumn Nations Series match between Ireland and New Zealand. Pic: Sportsfile
Caelan also spoke about embracing the pressure that comes with a nation watching. He said: ‘The pressure is framed from the coaches and ourselves in quite a positive way, we know we’re good enough to do it, it’s just about going out there and doing it.
‘It’s not a burden, it’s more an excitement to go out and do it. It doesn’t feel like there’s a massive weight of the pressure, it’s an exciting challenge but we have to get it right.’
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