Doris focused on 'north star' Grand Slam tilt
Caelan Doris is happy for the 2027 World Cup to stay on the back burner for Ireland, especially when the squad’s focus is on securing back-to-back Grand Slams in this season’s Six Nations.
The 2023 champions have got their title defence off to a flying start with a record-breaking victory over France in Marseille in round one followed by a historic first Six Nations nilling of Italy last Sunday, when Doris captained Ireland to a 36-0 win in Dublin.
With two down and three to go, Doris, known to his team-mates as “Bogsy” due to his Mayo roots, echoed head coach Andy Farrell’s opinion in deeming the Triple Crown leg of the schedule, against Wales, England away, and Scotland, as tougher still.
Yet speaking yesterday as he was unveiled as the newest Lucozade Sport Athlete alongside Ireland Sevens newcomer and double All-Ireland-winning former Meath footballer Vikki Wall, Doris was happy to vocalise the Irish camp’s ambition to become the first team in Six Nations history to land consecutive clean sweeps.
Asked whether talk within the group had centred on being at the start of a World Cup cycle, Doris said: “Not a whole lot, no to be honest. It’s largely been on focusing on continuing our journey from the last four years, the potential to do something special this year with back-to-back Grand Slams, which is a very exciting prospect.
“We haven’t touched on 2027 really yet. Our overarching principle and motivation and goal is inspiring the nation and both thanking and showing our appreciation for all the support we had through the last World Cup and so far this year with our performances. Yeah, try and grow the game as much as possible.”
Referring to the openness of Ireland’s Grand Slam goal, the back-rower said: “You obviously have your north star and that’s what we’re heading for but if we get lost on that at the same time, you can get unstuck week to week so, as cliched as it is, it is important to maintain a week-to-week focus and not get lost in the whole Grand Slam chat.
“But of course it’s a special opportunity that we can potentially do so we’re definitely motivated to try and do it.”
The core of Ireland’s Six Nations squad will resume training on Thursday at the IRFU High Performance Centre in Dublin’s Abbottstown with the focus solely on the visit of Wales to the Aviva Stadium a week on Saturday with Doris taking nothing for granted following Warren Gatland’s side’s narrow defeats to Scotland and England thus far.
“They were impressive in the second half against Scotland (coming from 27-0 down at half-time to lose 27-26) in the first week, they didn’t look themselves in the first half at all.
“But given Gatland and the leader and coach he is, some of the quality they have as well, I was expecting at least a bit of a comeback. But it was impressive the way they dealt with that.
“Again last week they were showing signs of, it’s obviously quite a young team with a few changes, they are definitely showing some positive signs and I am sure they are going to improve over this week off, building into next week and as the tournament goes on. I think given the rivalry we’ve had with them and the nature of the Triple Crown game to come it is going to be a big test.”
Doris also praised the maturity of Jack Crowley, the 24-year-old who has succeeded the now-retired veteran Johnny Sexton as Ireland fly-half.
"He's been class, he's still so young but he has a wise head on his shoulders; he's calm, steady and he seems like he's taking things in his stride pretty well.
"It's a challenging position, to take over from Johnny and try and make sure he's fulfilling the expectation of filling those boots; Johnny is probably our best ever player, an unbelievable No 10 and one of the best in the world, at the top of his game at 38.
"It's a different ball-game altogether, but Jack has been unbelievable.
"Obviously, Sexto was captain and a massive leader but Jack has been too.
"That part of his game will continue to develop, because there's quite a big responsibility on a number 10 to lead the week, lead how we play the game."
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