Caelan Doris hopes rugby fans can emulate football crowd and spur Ireland on
By Edward Elliot, PA, Dublin
Captain Caelan Doris hopes Ireland’s rugby team take inspiration from their footballing counterparts and sparks another raucous Aviva Stadium atmosphere during Saturday’s sold-out showdown with Australia.
The Republic of Ireland kept alive their hopes of qualifying for next year’s FIFA World Cup thanks to Thursday evening’s stunning 2-0 victory over Portugal.
Troy Parrott’s first-half double did the damage for Heimir Hallgrimsson’s hosts before Cristiano Ronaldo’s 61st-minute red card further fired up a euphoric Dublin crowd.
Ireland rugby internationals Garry Ringrose, Josh van der Flier, Jacob Stockdale and Ciaran Frawley were among those in attendance, while the rest of Andy Farrell’s squad tuned in on television at the team hotel ahead of facing Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies at the same venue.
“There was good excitement watching it, it was class, the atmosphere here was unbelievable and we’ll be looking for something similar tomorrow,” said Doris.
“I think it comes when there’s passion in how they’re playing. You could see there was no fear really in how they played, they just kept attacking and were quite cohesive in that.
“There was a nice reaction when Ronaldo got sent off as well. It was class and very cool to watch.”
The Aviva Stadium atmosphere for rugby internationals has been an ongoing talking point in recent years amid efforts to enhance the matchday experience.
Last weekend’s 41-10 victory over Japan took place in front of a flat lunchtime crowd.
“The biggest thing is through how they (the football team) play, the knock-on reaction they can have with the supporters and the passion you see,” said Doris.
“It’s a late kick-off for us tomorrow night (8.10pm) and hopefully we can get them going.”
Amid weather warnings in Dublin, Ireland trained in wind and swirling rain on Friday morning.
Conditions are expected to improve before Saturday evening but Farrell’s squad are primed to adapt.
“It might have to be a little bit more direct; set-piece, territory, discipline all become a little bit more important,” said Doris, who will start at openside flanker.
“Scoreboard pressure, taking points early, that kind of thing is more important, but also just the intensity and the enjoyment of getting properly stuck in as a forward pack in particular.
“The way Australia play, they have the ability through their backs to swing together and take opportunities, but also they play similar to France, that tight game with their forwards pop passing from the breakdown.
“Regardless of the weather, that’s going to be a big focus point for our defence that we need to get right.”