Doris and Kelleher of Ireland are uncertain for the match against Wales
Ireland captain Caelan Doris and hooker Ronan Kelleher are now considered injury concerns for Saturday’s Six Nations match against Wales.
Leinster back row Doris has sustained a knee injury, while Kelleher is dealing with a neck problem.
Doris has played in Ireland’s last 42 Test matches, a streak that dates back to the 2021 Six Nations.
Iain Henderson (hamstring) and Cormac Izuchukwu (ankle) are not available, whereas their Ulster colleagues Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, and Nick Timoney have been selected for the squad.
Izuchukwu had to leave early during Ulster’s defeat to Benetton on Saturday.
Munster forwards Gavin Coombes and John Hodnett, along with Leinster back row Diarmuid Mangan, have been included in interim coach Simon Easterby’s squad.
Prop Tadhg Furlong is “still making strides”, as stated by the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), while Mack Hansen and Joe McCarthy have returned to training with the team.
Furlong and McCarthy were absent from Ireland’s victories against England and Scotland due to calf and head injuries, respectively, while Hansen withdrew shortly before the Scotland game because of a hamstring problem.
Munster scrum-half Craig Casey will be part of the camp this week as he continues to recover from knee surgery.
Ireland is pursuing a third consecutive title and aims to move closer to the Grand Slam by defeating Wales, who recently ended their relationship with head coach Warren Gatland following a 14th consecutive Test loss to Italy last week.
After assuming the role of interim manager, Matt Sherratt summoned fly-halves Jarrod Evans and Gareth Anscombe, along with centre Max Llewellyn.
Ireland has triumphed in their last three matches against Wales, featuring a 34-10 win during their most recent encounter at Principality Stadium in 2023.
Ireland team set to confront Wales
Backs (17): Bundee Aki, Caolin Blade, Jack Crowley, Ciaran Frawley, Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, Stuart McCloskey, Conor Murray, Calvin Nash, Jimmy O’Brien, Jamie Osborne, Sam Prendergast, Jacob Stockdale, Garry Ringrose
Forwards (23): Ryan Baird, Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Boyle, Thomas Clarkson, Jack Conan, Gavin Coombes, Caelan Doris, Tadhg Furlong, Cian Healy, Rob Herring, John Hodnett, Ronan Kelleher, Diarmuid Mangan, Gus McCarthy, Joe McCarthy, Peter O’Mahony, Andrew Porter, Cian Prendergast, James Ryan, Dan Sheehan, Nick Timoney, Josh van der Flier.
