Double injury blow for Ireland as Doris and O’Brien to miss July tests in Nations Championship

By The Associated Press
June 20, 2026 | 5:38 PM

DUBLIN (AP) — Ireland suffered a double blow to its Nations Championship preparation when captain Caelan Doris and back Tommy O’Brien were ruled out of all three July tests.

Both were injured as Leinster won the United Rugby Championship final against the Bulls 36-7 on Saturday in Dublin.

Doris picked up a foot injury and O’Brien hurt his groin after landing awkwardly from an aerial contest.

Hooker Dan Sheehan will captain Ireland in the tests in Australia, Japan and New Zealand on consecutive Saturdays from July 4.

The loss of Doris and O’Brien was good news for Ulster brothers Zac and Bryn Ward, the sons of former Ireland international Andy Ward. Both brothers have trained with Ireland but were uncapped.

Ireland leaves for Sydney on Monday.

Cue the trumpet: Edwin Díaz returns to earn save for the Dodgers after 85-game absence

By The Associated Press
July 30, 2026 | 1:58 AM

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Cue the trumpet. Edwin Díaz is back to close out games for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 32-year-old right-hander came off the injured list Wednesday after missing 85 games, having had arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies in his elbow in April. “We just got a lot better,” manager Dave Roberts said. Fans were on their feet cheering when Díaz entered in the ninth to Timmy Trumpet's “Narcos.” He gave up two hits and one run while earning his fifth save of the season in a 4-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners. His four-seam fastball touched 98 mph.

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