Ireland showing signs attacking mojo is back, says captain Caelan Doris after Six Nations win
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England's Ellis Genge in action with Ireland's Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris during Ireland's 27-22 Six Nations win on Feb 1.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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DUBLIN – A second-half blitz that left England for dust showed glimpses of what Ireland are capable of in attack, captain Caelan Doris said on Feb 1, challenging his side to show more of it to make their Six Nations three-in-a-row dreams a reality.
While two late English consolation tries cut the deficit at the Aviva Stadium to 27-22, the hosts played some of their best attacking rugby when they racked up 22 unanswered points in 21 blistering second-half minutes to put the game out of sight.
It was a welcome sight for their relatively new skipper after Ireland missed some of the attacking verve that helped deliver back-to-back Six Nations titles in an uneven November Series and lacked some accuracy again in the first half on Feb 1.
“I think we showed what are we capable of at times, definitely,” Doris told a press conference when asked if Ireland’s attacking mojo was back.
“There’s belief in the plan we have in our attack and some of the plays that Goodies’ come up with (attack coach Andrew Goodman), but in our general-phase attack as well.
“I think we showed it at times there but as we get deeper into the tournament, it’s going to need to be a stronger point and we’re going to need to continue to develop it.”
Ireland crossed the line via Jamison Gibson-Park, Bundee Aki, Tadhg Beirne and Dan Sheehan.
England’s tries came from Cadan Murley, Tom Curry and Tommy Freeman.
Doris’ assessment was shared by interim coach Simon Easterby, who also praised his side’s set pieces, which also went a little awry in November, and how his starting XV wore England down before a “brilliant” impact from the bench.
Easterby, an understated flanker who won 65 Irish caps as the nation’s rugby fortunes began to turn in the early 2000s, has stepped up from his role as defence coach for the tournament while Andy Farrell is seconded on British & Irish Lions duty.
“It wasn’t perfect, and it certainly will need to get better, but really pleased with the way we got off to the start... and it’s important that we kick on,” Easterby said, noting the support of Farrell, who watched on from the stands on Feb 1.
His England counterpart Steve Borthwick said: “Ireland are a world-class team and have been for a long time.
“They have been in the top four consistently. That experience told in the third quarter.
“You’ve seen two different teams. An Ireland team that have been together for a huge amount of time with nearly 1,200 caps against an England team that has been building over the last six months.”
In the other match on Feb 1, a hat-trick of tries by Huw Jones inspired Scotland to a 31-19 victory over Italy at Murrayfield.
Two second-half tries by Jones secured the hosts victory – with a bonus point to boot – after Italy had battled back from 14-0 down to level at 19-19.
Rory Darge and Ben White scored Scotland’s other tries while Ignacio Brex crossed the line for the Italians.
The Scots are at home to two-time defending champions Ireland on Feb 9, while Italy host a struggling Wales side nursing their wounds after a 43-0 thrashing by France. REUTERS, AFP
