"Crowley's growing and growing" – Caelan Doris backs his fly half ahead of Scotland clash

Ahead of Ireland's Triple Crown clash with Scotland today, in the buildup to this afternoon's affair, Munster outhalf and Irish legend Ronan O'Gara had comments go viral, surrounding Ireland and Munster outhalf Jack Crowley. By comments made by the La Rochelle head coach in the Irish Examiner, O'Gara stated that Crowley had a lot of work to put in before he could reach the level that Ireland requires of him. However, Captain Caelan Doris was full of praise for the 26-year-old.

"Crowley's growing and growing, and he's a steady head at a young age in the ten shirt. I think he kind of plays what's in front of him very well. He's unpredictable in that he sees pictures and makes the right call in a calm manner. He's getting more and more assertive with his communication with the forwards and bossing us around."

"Yeah, there's more of that from all the tens . I mean, we're all holding each other more accountable. We know where we want to take this team, and in order to do that, we've got to drive standards together. So we're seeing some of that from our tens in the top, yeah."

With Crowley featuring today, as expected, Jameson Gibson-Park will line up at nine to finish out the halfback pairing. The Ireland scrum-half was the story of the week against Wales, after making his 50th cap for Ireland. After leaving the game due to injury and returning to help guide Ireland to victory, the Ireland captain expects much the same from him today on an even bigger occasion.

"I mean, Jameson is one of the best in the world, and he's at his best like he was in Twickenham in particular. Our whole game kind of evolves around him. He's capable of big moments massively. So, yeah, the two of them are top class and are working well together. "

Following a dominant performance against Wales, Jack Conan also returned to the team for a second successive week after missing out due to illness at Twickenham. With Doris at 8, Conan at 6, and Josh Van Der Fleir at 7, Ireland has some of the most dominant ball carriers in the Six Nations all lined up in the back row. Additionally, Ulster's Stuart McCloskey also adds to that pack, with the most dominant contact metres out of any player in the tournament at 12.

"Yeah, I think there's an opportunity in each moment to be dominant. Whether we're kicking off or receiving, it's a clean exit if we're receiving, trying to get as much field position as possible. But yeah, like you say, it is as literal as first contact, the feeling that you can give those around you from a dominant position, from a dominant carry. But, I mean, you grow into the game as well. It's backing up moments and moments and trying to win more."

"He's (Jack Conan) very athletic, good feet, good hands at the line as well. So he's kind of got a varied skill set and is able to get his quick ball, go for a ball. But he also is capable of holding the edges and making some good decisions out there, strong defensively. Very good decisions in the back of the tackle as well. So he's a turnover threat as well. So yeah, he's got a lot of, he offers a lot."

With both teams naming the strongest lineups possible with everything on the line at the Aviva Stadium later today, everything is on the line. If England beat France, any Ireland bonus-point win over Scotland would win them the championship. However, the Irish captain believes that any risk that his team makes will be calculated and thought out.

"I mean, yeah, you can't predict these things. You don't know how the game is going to go. It all depends on where we are at the hour mark. But like I say, attacking it properly and winning is the most important thing. But you've got to be mindful of the overall picture and the different permutations. "

"It would be a calculated one, depending on how the game is going, yeah."

Ireland have won their last eight matches against Scotland in the Guinness Men’s Six Nations, with their last defeat in this fixture coming at Murrayfield in 2017. Additionally, Scotland has won just once in Dublin in the Men’s Six Nations, that victory coming back in 2010 in Ireland’s final game at Croke Park. However, many surrounding Scotland, including winger Darcy Graham, have claimed that Ireland are there for the taking.

"Yeah, I mean, they've definitely earned their right to be confident, I think, through some of the performances this year. But, like you say, over the last number of years, they've had some of that same confidence. We wouldn't look into it too much, to be honest with you, no."

"I mean, there's always a good mindset going into these games. I think there's probably confidence on both sides, like I mentioned, which brings a little bit of edge and a little bit of spice to it. Knowing that both teams fully believe, I think it probably, hopefully, brings the best out of ourselves. But, yeah, hopefully it's one that we can keep going and add to tomorrow."

With the Ireland captain claiming that his team is keeping a level head approaching the game, speaking to the media after Ireland's squad announcement on Wednesday, head coach Andy Farrell made similar comments. Speaking to the media, Farrell revealed that Ireland are preparing for the same Scotland team that showed up in Murrayfield, to show up today.

"Yeah, very well. He (Andy Farrell) always hits the nail on the head. He always comes out of some of his meetings inspired and ready to run through a brick wall for him. He always gets the emotional tone right. A lot of it again has been centred around intent and making it feel right, and the awareness that it's a big game and still attacking it probably."

3. Doris was officially named Ireland captain for the 2024 Autumn Nations Series, following the retirement of former captain Peter O’Mahony.