Leinster's James Ryan has given his backing to Caelan Doris after the number 8 replaced Ryan and Garry Ringrose as the province’s new captain.
Ryan and Ringrose were named co-captains of Leinster following Johnny Sexton’s retirement in November 2023, but Doris took on the role regularly during the second half of the campaign while the pair were injured, and has been promoted to the role on a full-time basis by head coach Leo Cullen ahead of the new season.
"Myself and Garry [Ringrose] met Leo [Cullen] and it was the decision he made and we're fully behind it," the second row said at a Leinster Rugby media event in Kildare Village today.
"We're delighted for Caelan. It was a huge honour for me to co-captain Leinster over the last two seasons and we'll just support Caelan now as much as possible."
Ryan and Ringrose will continue to serve as vice-captains at the province, a role the lock regularly had during Johnny Sexton’s time as skipper, while he has also covered as Ireland captain on multiple occasions, most recently in August 2023 in a World Cup warm-up against England.
And while he admits the role brought extra duties with it, he says it never felt like a burden.
"There's definitely an added responsibility but I loved it, I always enjoyed my time whenever I've had the chance to captain," he added.
"The main thing is I learned was just to focus on your own game and get that right, and all the other stuff came naturally because I don't think leadership is about a title, it's about trying to lead in your own way. So I definitely learned from every game, I wouldn't say I did everything right but you learn as you go.
"My main focus is contributing to the team as absolutely best as possible and whether that's as captain or not is not important.
"For me, being at my very best is contributing to both Leinster and Ireland, hopefully, in the best way and that's my focus more than ever this season, trying to get that bit right because we're desperate to win trophies this year. I'm just trying to play my small bit to help us do that."
Having played in both games of Ireland’s drawn Test series with South Africa in July, Ryan was part of a large Leinster contingent who returned to pre-season in August, and is now coming to the end of his fourth week of training.
Traditionally, the province drip-feed their internationals back into the squad, and head coach Cullen has suggested they will do so again on a case-by-case basis, but having been limited to just ten games for the province last season due to an arm injury, Ryan is eager to see some game time in the early rounds of this campaign.
The province start their season away to Edinburgh on Friday 20 September, but the 28-year-old could be in contention for the opening home game of the season the following week, as they welcome the Dragons to the Aviva Stadium.
"I'd be looking to come back quite early, during the first couple of rounds," he said.
"I'm pretty keen to play, I didn't have the minutes last season that I would have normally had.
"I was out for a few months with a bicep injury and stuff like that so even heading into the summer I felt pretty good. We don't have a huge amount of locks at the moment either, RG [Snyman] is injured at the moment and big Joe [McCarthy] played a lot so yeah, it hopefully gives me the opportunity to kick on and play as early as possible."
Competition in the second row is likely to be fierce at the province this season, with the arrival of double World Cup-winner RG Snyman (below) from Munster.
The Springbok is set to miss the opening weeks of the season with a foot injury, but Ryan says the South African has been settling in well so far in Dublin.
He said: "We all had a few beers last night with the whole group coming back in together and I got to know him a bit better and he seems like a great fellah. I look forward to playing alongside him.
"Rabah [Slimani] has come in as well and he seems like a character. We have Jordie [Barrett] also coming in after November so hopefully the three of them can make a real difference for us in the big games.
"He [Snyman] is very good with the ball in hand, he's exceptionally good when he gets on the ball and he can literally put his arm over bodies and free his arm up and find offloads, he's unreal, he's such a big man that he can do it.
"I reckon if I tried that in training or in a game and didn't pull it off, I don't think it would go too well with the management.
"He likes to keep the ball alive and not go to ground as much which is perfect for us because it's Leinster rugby, isn't it, we like to play that sort of style.
"And then set-piece wise I'm sure he'll have some great ideas for us, he has great height obviously as well so having him as an option in the lineout is great for our attack but also for our defence."
Also on the horizon is the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia next summer, with Ryan likely to be among the contenders for a place in Andy Farrell’s squad.
And having missed out on a place in the squad for the series in South Africa four years ago, he says that motivation will be in the back of his mind across the next few months.
"I think it's in the thoughts of every player but everyone in Leinster wants to play in the big games, they want to represent their country and to play for the Lions, it's the ambition of every player," added Ryan.
"But you know it's there in the background, you just focus on your own game and all that stuff takes care of itself. We've an exciting few games to look forward to in September, October, playing in the Aviva will be a little bit different and we're still getting used to that, and Croke Park [against Munster in October] is heading for a sellout.
"So there's loads of exciting rugby to be played before the Lions."
Follow the RTÉ Sport WhatsApp channel for the best news, interviews, analysis and features, as well as details of our sports coverage across all RTÉ platforms.
