Bernard Jackman believes Leinster back-row Caelan Doris could be a “dark horse” to be named Ireland captain ahead of the Guinness Six Nations campaign.
Johnny Sexton’s curtain call after last year’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final defeat to New Zealand means the captaincy role is up for grabs.
Head coach Andy Farrell is expected to announce the names of his Six Nations squad later this month, ahead of the opening game against France in Paris on February 2, and the identity of the next captain will also be revealed. James Ryan, Peter O’Mahony and Garry will be selected. Mr Ringrose and Ian Henderson have been named as Mr Sexton’s successors.
However, Jackman suggested on RTÉ’s Saturday Sport that there was a real possibility that Doris, 25, who captained Leinster for the first time against Ulster on New Year’s Day, could join the team.
“It’s a big call-up for Farrell. I think it’s more likely to be Keiran Doris,” he said.
“I think there is a possibility that he will be the starter, as he is set to be the starter. [his] Age profile. Probably a bolter from Farrell.
“Another option is Peter. [O’Mahony] When they come back and play, they try to make short-term fixes.
“I don’t know, there aren’t a lot of guys that would say, ‘He should be captain.’ Doris might end up being a bit of a dark horse.”
The composition of the squad for the opening game of the Six Nations could offer some interest amid injuries, the recent change in form of the provincial team and Sexton’s retirement.
Jackman named a number of positions where the pecking order could change, including scrum-half and out-half.
“Once that team is selected, it’s going to be pretty shallow at certain positions,” he said.
“Loosehead, I think they’re going to bring Tom O’Toole back from tighthead to be that backup.” [Andrew] Porter.
“We’ve got a very good generation of 19, 20, 21-year-olds coming in, but the cycle above them probably hasn’t reached the level we would have liked.
“I don’t think the team we’re looking at is going to be as exciting as the team we saw last year.”