SM
Real Madrid vs. Mallorca: 10 hrs 10 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Peter O'Mohony reacts to Caelan Doris withdrawal

:Headline: Peter O'Mohony reacts to Caelan Doris withdrawal: ID:433579: from db_amp
Leinster number eight Caelan Doris left the Irish camp after suffering with concussion symptoms.

Peter O'Mahony says Ireland must swiftly forget about the loss of the "exceptional" Caelan Doris and focus on executing a "seamless" back-row reshuffle.

Leinster number eight Doris was tipped to shine in this year's Guinness Six Nations but prematurely left the Irish camp after suffering with concussion symptoms.

The enforced absence of the 22-year-old, who was arguably his country's standout performer in the Autumn Nations Cup, presents a major dilemma for head coach Andy Farrell ahead of Sunday's tournament opener away to Wales.

Caelan Doris will miss Ireland's Six Nations opener (Niall Carson/PA)

Munster flanker O'Mahony is expected to occupy one of the three loose forward spots in Cardiff and believes there is sufficient desire within the squad to overcome a significant blow to their plans.

"It's not tough. You've six or seven back-rowers here who are fighting for three spots," the 31-year-old said of Doris being sidelined.

"The big thing about it is, you don't want to see one of your men go down, and Caelan has been one of the outstanding Irish players in the last probably 18 months, two years.

"He's been exceptional and he certainly will be a big loss, but there are guys who are hungry and we demand that when someone goes down there's someone there and it's as seamless as possible.

"And that's the way it has to be in international rugby, you can't be waiting for people.

"Everyone in the group was gutted to see him go home but, at the same time, there are guys there who are chomping at the bit to get a go, myself included."

CJ Stander could return to the centre of the back row at the Principality Stadium after often being moved to blindside flanker to accommodate Doris in the past year

O'Mahony, Rhys Ruddock, Will Connors, Josh Van Der Flier and the uncapped Gavin Coombes are the other options available to Farrell at the back of the pack.

Wales have struggled to impress since the appointment of head coach Wayne Pivac and were twice comfortably beaten in Dublin during 2020.

Wayne Pivac endured a difficult first year in charge of Wales (Adam Davy/PA)

O'Mahony anticipates a reaction from the Welsh but is determined to begin the tournament with victory.

"It's an incredibly difficult place to go and get a result, we're in no doubt about that," he said.

"It's going to be a huge challenge. The players and the squad they have picked, they are obviously going to want to improve on where they came from in the last few months, I've no doubt.

"And with the changes, it leaves them a little bit unpredictable from our point of view. But all we can do it focus on ourselves.

"I think everyone understands how important the first game in the championship is. It's a massive tone-setter for the rest of it and that's the way we will be taking it for the weekend."

amp_article__433579 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2021-02-03 15:36:46:
html db last update - 2021-02-03 15:36:46 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Caelan Doris

Click here for more stories about Ireland

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool19144147192846
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest20124429191040
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham207943027330
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2044123145-1416
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .