Doris declares there are 'no second chances' against Scotland with Triple Crown on the line

The No.8 also believes Ireland will need to reach the same high levels they produced in round three against England if they are to beat Scotland

LEADER: Caelan Doris speak to media after the captain's run. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Ireland have entered cup final mode as they target silverware against Scotland in Saturday’s Triple Crown shootout at Aviva Stadium with Caelan Doris declaring there are no second chances for his side.

An 11-match winning run over Gregor Townsend’s team and the Scots’ lack of a trophy since their 1999 Five Nations title success will count for nothing in Dublin if Ireland are not at the peak of their powers, Doris said on Friday following his captain’s run training session at the Aviva. 

With a Triple Crown and the chance to pile the pressure on title favourites France ahead of their final game at home to England in Super Saturday’s last game on the schedule, the No.8 also believes Ireland will need to reach the same high levels they produced in round three of this Guinness Six Nations campaign when they hammered England 42-21 for a record win at Twickenham.

Ireland raced into a 22-0 lead after 30 minutes on that day three weeks ago and Doris wants a similarly fast start on home soil to set the tone against a Scotland side full of confidence following big wins over the English and last Saturday’s 50-40 destruction of France.

“There's no second chance here,” the Ireland skipper said. “It's down to how we start the game, how we get into it, a fast start, like we've spoken about over the last couple of weeks. It's going to be important again.

SEA OF GREEN: Players emerge from the tunnel for the captain's run at the Aviva Stadium. Pic: Dan Clohessy/Inpho

“I think taking it moment by moment and really attacking the game, understanding that the win is the most important thing. Obviously there are bonus points and different permutations that come into it but how we start's going to be important.” 

As for Ireland’s chance of an unlikely title success, it would take a bonus-point win over Scotland and a favour from England, who need to buck their dismal form and three straight defeats to land an upset win at Stade de France on Saturday night. Yet Doris was not putting the cart before the horse.

“Obviously the win is the most important thing. But it's always process-focused, trying to get the best performance possible and understanding the different permutations that are a stake. We've had some of those conversations towards the end of the week, so understanding that, but the win is front and centre of the mind.” 

To get that victory, Doris spoke of his confidence Ireland could rescale the heights they ascended at Twickenham three weeks ago.

“I think so and I think we've trained well through the week, we've seen some really good stuff. I think it's never trying to replicate a performance, it's always playing the game, how it unfolds and doing what's right in the moment. 

"We're going to need to be towards our best if not at our best tomorrow to get it right.”