"A significant challenge, the core of their strategy": Caelan Doris discusses France's captain Antoine Dupont.
This season, Caelan Doris has appeared so relaxed at times that one might think he could doze off while hanging on a clothesline. During his press conference held the day before the match, following Ireland’s captain’s run at the Stade de France, he leaned back comfortably under the bright lights and cameras of the media room, nearly lying flat.
Doris provided thoughtful and articulate responses to every question posed. If he can maintain this same sense of calm and assurance during Thursday night’s Six Nations opener against France at the Stade de France (scheduled for 9:10 PM local time/8:10 PM Irish time), then it’s possible that this Ireland team may just exceed expectations and defy the odds.
Although many Irish teams have entered a Parisian stadium with a sense of intimidation, Doris has a different perspective.
"I see it more as an opportunity—what we can accomplish, the excitement surrounding our group, the enthusiasm stemming from our training, and the desire to inspire our nation with a strong performance," he expressed. "It definitely feels more like a positive opportunity."
Doris shared his excitement about this match, fueled by the preparation that he and his teammates have undertaken, especially after visiting the stadium. He described this opening match of the Six Nations as "essentially the peak of the sport."
The captain and his fellow players plan to share insights from their past experiences in this venue.
"I recall coming here in 2022 and being amazed by how loud the crowd was, even before the warm-up began, with the music and festivities going on," he recounted. "But I genuinely believe there’s a willingness to embrace any hostility we might face. As I mentioned earlier, when you have clarity, such factors won’t hinder your performance."
He emphasized that the Irish forwards must adopt a mindset characterized by "the hunter versus the hunted." Doris elaborated, "We need to aggressively target their pack, starting at the set-piece. The key areas will be the set-piece and breakdown, along with solid defense, of course."
"We need to establish dominance in scrum time, lineouts, and mauls—securing our presence in the game through those aspects," he continued.
A strong start is crucial, particularly in away games. Doris said, "It’s always more critical to emphasize a quick beginning on the road, especially in France, to secure an early foothold in the game and apply some scoreboard pressure if possible."
"A fast start comes from that, but if you focus too much on it and things don’t go as planned, it can sometimes backfire," he cautioned. "So, no matter how the first 10 or 20 minutes unfold, it’s vital to maintain the belief that we can stay competitive, continue executing our game plan, and trust that we can get back on track. That said, we will definitely be aiming for a rapid start."
Few names have garnered as much attention leading up to a match as Antoine Dupont has, yet Doris offered a unique insight into how to manage the skilled and versatile scrum-half.
"He has outsmarted me several times. I specifically remember an incident in 2023 where I felt I had him cornered on one side of the breakdown, but he spun around me and managed to evade three defenders on the other side," he reflected.
"I’ve previously likened him to one of those elusive little fish that dart away when you try to catch them. That analogy holds true. You must stay connected to him and ensure multiple players are involved. You can’t take the initiative to go after him alone, thinking, ‘Here’s the best player in the world, I need to take him down to make a statement.’
"You need to remain unified. He is a substantial threat and the driving force behind their attack, so this will present a significant challenge for us."
