JUST AS WELL Caelan Doris got his psychology thesis bound and submitted before sport could make its comeback from pandemic-imposed shutdown this year.
His chosen topic was the influence of home and away crowds on performance. Beginning that project while top level sport had nothing but empty stadia to show off would brought no end of complications.
Perhaps wary of getting too deep into the weeds on the subject, he concisely sums up what he has seen in fan-free games as a leveller.
“There’s probably a bit more parity playing at home versus playing away, it’s not as big a factor,” says Doris.
“That would be the main thing really, and then just playing in an empty stadium, obviously it’s very strange, it feels like a trial match at times and I think it’s important to try and build our own energy.
“Obviously it’s impossible to replace the crowd but just by celebrating the small wins and things like that, building a bit of a buzz among ourselves is important.”
Doris’ performances alone had created plenty of buzz during the first half of the 2019/ season, before the world changed. He was one of the few Irish players to impress in the crushing loss to England at Twickenham and he made himself a key man for Leinster on both sides of sport’s hiatus.
An early concussion in the opening round win over Scotland curtailed his Six Nations involvement for the first three rounds.
As it comes back around he has a Leinster young player of the year award on the shelf, but he looks at his international minutes as a mark of the experience he has yet to accrue.
“I still have only had 25 minutes of international rugby so I’m still pretty inexperienced at this level. Obviously guys like Ryan Baird and that are cropping up but I still think I’m in that pretty youthful group.”
Before Doris took his seat in front of the laptop for a virtual press conference, head coach Andy Farrell had called on Ireland’s players to show more adaptability, to bounce back more effectively when Plan A had gone awry.
The chance to play a little more off the cuff would suit Doris just fine.
“It’s similar to Leinster in a way so I’m not too used to the overly-structured, it’s the way I like playing anyway,” says the Mayo man.
“I think he is backing us as rugby players to make the right decisions. He doesn’t want it to be overly-structured, he wants us to play heads-up rugby, see what’s in front of us and use our skill-set.
“Also the game of movement and unpredictability and using the whole pitch in an unpredictable way.”
COYBIB
Such a joy to watch ulster this week compared to Munster. So much variety in their play. Mathewson sniping, passing, kicking. Forwards carrying with impact but also offloading when appropriate. Much more effective. Hume and McCloskey look great in the centre.
Let’s go Leinster!! Big day out for Ringrose
@gabs90: ya, biggest day of his career
Leinster lineouts are keeping Ulster in the game
Looking forward to a good game and hopefully no injuries for both sides for next week. . Super selection from Leinster and what a bench. Leinster by 10+ for me.
Leinster will win
I see Van Der Flier is Liam Tolands man crush this week
He’s a gas man. Giving Stockdale grief for crawling with the ball. But sure it was perfectly fine when a Leinster player did it to score against Munster.
Half time and the leinster lineout is easily the worst in professional rugby.
@Chris Mc: I think we need to end the hype that’s been surrounding Kelleher right now. Cronin is a better lineout thrower and that’s saying something!
@David Finn: his throwing is pants but he’s a massive present arround the pitch
@Chris Mc: yeah good around the pitch but on that performance about Irish no 4. He needs time.
@Trevor Johnston: the leinster lineout has been too complicated for a good few seasons now. Far too many moving parts. Most of the balls lost yesterday came without any real presure from Ulster, lifters missed the jumper, some times the jumper didn’t even jump. A lineout should be very simple, your jumper gets into the air before theirs or get higher than theirs. Your hooker throws the ball to the big guy been lifted by 2 other big guys. All the dummies, moving arround and decoys just allows the line to close and the lifters to be obstructed or miss their position or timing.
Game on great try
It’s good to see Ulster taking a leaf out of the Leinster playbook. Holding opposition players in nearly every ruck and starting to milk some penalties.
Another trophy the invincibles
Leinster Congratulations
People effuse about this morphing Leinster game plan, kicking on their terms and their love for defending but Ulster have been playing the better rugby for the majority of the game. I know Leinster are still winning but as a Leinster fan I expected a good bit more from Leinster tonight in preparation for Saracens. Doris has been quiet, Conan was petulant in the first half and it is not a day for Kelleher at line-out time. There have been moments when Leinster have shown good running rugby but the last phase fizzles out with an attacking penalty or picking the wrong option. We’ll need a better performance against Saracens, even without Farrell and Mako.
@Dan Finlay: and moments after posting Doris goes and scores.
@Dan Finlay: Conan coughed up three penalties. Can not afford that against saracens.
Atrocious lineout from Leinster.
Great response.
Brilliant try.
Great try! Very well worked. Come on ulster!
Would be grand if Brace actually reffed Leinster. Let’s them away with murder at the breakdown
@Andrew Taz Donohoe: fussy but fair
Here he comes. The Boss.
Great try …..game over ..joking
Anyone know if tg4 are showing this live or is it just discussions about the game starting at that time and the kick off being shown later on?
@Rudiger McMonihan: I’m pretty sure it’s live
Ulster happy to be in final, same as Heineken cup a few years back they failed to throw a punch… embarrassing
@Nathan Fulham: you can only play as well as you are allowed. Leinster in total control.
SUFTUM
Terrible commentators