Ireland back row Caelan Doris has been named Leinster captain ahead of the start of the 2024/25 season.
The 26-year-old takes over from co-captains James Ryan and Garry Ringrose, who were appointed just last season after Johnny Sexton retired.
Doris said: "It's a massive privilege for me to be leading this group.
"I’m fortunate to have so many quality players and staff around me whose advice and input will be crucial.
"It was special to get the opportunity to captain Leinster several times last season and I’m excited to do the same again this year."
The number 8 made his Leinster debut against Connacht in April 2018.
A season later he added a further 14 league appearances and a European debut against Toulouse to his CV and was becoming a regular feature in Leo Cullen’s match-day squads.
His form with Leinster saw him make his Ireland debut against Scotland in the 2020 Six Nations and he was also named the 2020 Pro14 Young Player of the Year.
Since then he has played a total of 83 times for Leinster and has been capped on 43 occasions by Ireland.
He has won three Pro14 titles with Leinster and two Six Nations titles with Ireland, including the Grand Slam in 2023.
Also in 2023, Doris was voted the Rugby Players Ireland Players’ Player of the Year, as well as the Leinster Players’ Player of the Year in recognition of his outstanding performances.
Cullen also confirmed that Ringrose and Ryan (below) would support Doris as vice-captains for the season ahead.
Doris first captained Leinster last season against Ulster in the BKT United Rugby Championship, and just over a month later he captained Ireland for the first time against Italy in the Six Nations.
Cullen added: "Over the course of last season, our supporters will have seen not only how Caelan performed himself, but how he grew into the captaincy role when given that opportunity both with Leinster and Ireland.
"He is an outstanding leader and a natural choice to lead Leinster into what we hope will be an exciting season."
Leinster begin their URC campaign away to Edinburgh on 20 September.
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