DORIS'S DAY

CAELAN DORIS is set to win his 50th Ireland cap in the year when many have him pencilled in to captain the Lions

- JOSH GRAHAM

CAELAN DORIS has always had a wise head on his shoulders. He's academic and graduating with a degree in psychology while juggling a pro rugby career is no mean feat. He's got a great rugby brain which helps him stand out.

He's polite and engaging company and it's very hard to find anyone with a bad word to say about him. All those traits have helped him on the journey to becoming Ireland captain. But if it wasn't for his brave and ultimately sensible decision-making around the concussion issues that blighted his early career, then it's no stretch to say that we would not be where we are today, with Doris aiming to lead Ireland to a third successive Six Nations title. He's also the standout candidate to captain the Lions on their tour of Australia under regular Ireland head coach Andy Farrell.

In a parallel universe somewhere, Doris is another prodigious talent whose career was cut short by one concussion too many. His debut against Scotland in 2020 was ended early by a sickening blow and another knock against Ulster before the following year's Six Nations led to worrying symptoms that caused him to take some time out from rugby.

He was away for two months and returned with his now trademark scrum cap - "an extra layer of foam around my head will do no harm", he said then.

Ultimately, that big chunk of missed games and further niggles scuppered his chances of making the Covid-hit Lions tour to South Africa. While that was the short-term pain, the long-term gain was Doris had the sense to get his concussion problems in order and he's now reaping the benefits of the career he protected by being boldly proactive.