Caelan Doris’s preparations for this Saturday’s Guinness PRO14 final against Ulster has received a timely boost after the Leinster back-rower was named the tournament’s Next-Gen Star of the Season.

The award for Under-23s playing in the PRO14 came hot on the heels of a man of the match performance in Leinster’s semi-final victory over Munster last Friday night at Aviva Stadium as Doris, 22, topped a poll of media representatives, former players and coaches from the five countries with participating teams.

The Lacken native has enjoyed a breakout season in 2019-20, played 10 times in the PRO14 this season, scoring one try and winning two man of the match awards while also earning an Ireland Test debut in Andy Farrell’s maiden team selection as head coach for the 2020 Six Nations opener against Scotland.