Everything you need to know about Irish rugby player Caelan Doris

Caelan Doris may only be 26, but he has already established himself as one of the biggest names in Irish rugby.

The Leinster player has been named as captain of the Ireland squad for the Autumn Nations Series, but what else do we know about the sportsman?

From his family cheering him on on the sidelines to his friendships with others in the team and his new romance, here’s everything you need to know about Caelan…

Who is Caelan Doris?

Caelan Doris is 26 years old and from Ballina in Co Mayo. He grew up in the village of Lacken and attended the small Creevagh National School, where he was one of only two boys in the class. Before discovering rugby, he was part of Gaelic football club Naomh Pádraig, according to the Irish Times.

He attended Blackrock College in Dublin and it was during his time at boarding school that his passion and talent for rugby really blossomed. According to Planet Rugby, he was part of the Blackrock team that won the Leinster Schools Senior Rugby Cup in 2014. This team also included Caelan’s current Ireland teammate, Hugo Keenan.

As well as playing professional rugby, Caelan has also obtained a degree in Psychology from University College Dublin and is also studying for a Masters in Applied Neuroscience at King’s College London.

Personal life

Many members of the Ireland rugby team are happily married or married, and Caelan is no different.

He launched hard at his new girlfriend Faye Richardson at the Leinster Rugby Awards Ball in June, and has since shared a few photos with her on social media.

Faye obtained a degree in French and Spanish from University College Dublin and now works at KPMG.

Rugby career to date and Ireland debut

Caelan joined the Leinster Academy in 2017 and then the Ireland Under-20s. He made his Ireland debut in 2020 against Scotland.

In December 2023, it was confirmed that Caelan had signed a three-year contract extension with the IRFU to see him play for Leinster Rugby until 2027.

He was named Bank of Ireland’s Men’s XVs Players’ Players of the Year 2023 by his fellow athletes at the 2023 Rugby Players Ireland Awards.

Overcoming struggles

Caelan has spoken out about his struggles with concussion. His first Ireland cap lasted just four minutes after suffering a head injury and missing the 2021 Six Nations Championship.

He sought professional help in Britain and has since said that although it was ‘difficult’ to make the decision to step back and deal with his health, it was the right one.

Tommy Bowe praised Caelan for being so outspoken, telling Extra: “When we see someone like Doris – who is in the prime of his career – step aside and make that phone call instead of waiting for a doctor to pull him aside , that is very important.’

Friendships in the team

The Leinster star is now a familiar face in the Ireland squad and good friends with many of the other boys in the team. Hugo Keenan told EVOKE in 2023 that he lives with Caelan and Ronan Kelleher, so they spend a lot of time together.