“He's taken it to another level” – Caelan Doris full of praise for Nathan Doak ahead of Six Nations debut

Ireland captain Caelan Doris met with the media on Thursday to preview Ireland’s upcoming clash with Wales, which kicks off tonight at 20:00 at the Aviva Stadium. During this press conference, the Ireland captain reflected on his history with Ulster's Nick Timoney ahead of his Six Nations debut as a starter.

Back in 2014, Doris and Timoney played together in a Blackrock team that included the likes of Hugo Keenan and Joey Carbery, in the Leinster Senior Schools Cup. Now, almost 12 years on from that team, Doris and Timoney are set to feature together again at 7 and 8 for Ireland.

"Yeah, it's been class playing against him over the last couple of weeks again. We played together I was in 4th year. He was in 6th year for school, won a schools cup together for Blackrock. His evolution's been unbelievable, obviously he's been in Ulster over 10 years now, but I think he's taken it to another level over the last season or so."

"He's always been rugby obsessed, and puts a ton of hard work in. And it's class to see it come to fruition with some of the performance he's put in recently."

The Ulster back row made his debut against the USA in 2021. However, following his first time pulling on the Green Shirt, he made only nine further caps. After an improved performance for Ulster as a whole this year. After finishing 14th in the United Rugby Championship last year, Richie Murphy's side currently sit sixth in the URC, with their improved performances leading to seven Ulster players being named in tonight's squad.

"Yeah, I mean, they've been great. They've brought proper competitiveness, which we're building in the squad. Which has been great, training has been competitive, there's been an edge to it. Some of the Ulster boys, in particular, have stood out over the last few weeks. Rob, Stu, Nick, as well as I mentioned. It's good to see more of them in."

Alongside Timoney's Six Nations debut, Ulster scrum-half Nathan Doak is also set to make his Ireland debut tonight from the bench. At the age of 24, Doak has already made over 100 appearances for Ulster; however, tonight's game is the first time he has been awarded an Ireland cap, should he come off the bench to replace Jameson Gibson-Park, who is set to earn his 50th cap.

"He's been great. He's a pretty experienced player at this stage, has over 100 caps for Ulster, he's been around a little bit, and he's been capped a couple of times as well. He's calm and has a good head on his shoulders, and he's trained really well this week. Looking forward to seeing him in action tomorrow."

"Friday Night's a pretty special time to do it as well. I love a Friday Night game here at the Aviva, we've got Nathan Doak's first cap, and Jameson as well, the two nines. Pretty big milestones for both of them, so there's a lot of motivation to make it a special day for them as well."

With Doak's potential debut looming, Ireland's starting Number 9, Gibson-Park, is also set to earn his 50th cap in a Green jersey. After joining Leinster in 2016, the Ireland starter was not qualified to play for Farrell's side until the 2019 World Cup. However, he was not included in the Irish squad until after 2020, making his debut off the bench against Italy.

"And yeah, his family was in yesterday. His immediate family. And then a few videos from back home in New Zealand as well. So yeah, it's a nice tradition that Faz has got going over the last number of years. And it was a nice evening for the two of them yesterday."

"He is a pretty chill guy, yeah. I'm sure there was a bit of emotion there as well, seeing his parents on the big screen. Same for Doak, he had his grandparents in as well as his parents. So those meetings always do get a little bit emotional."

Ireland's opponents tonight, Wales, put their best performance of the tournament together against Scotland in their last game. However, they have largely been concerned with issues off the rugby pitch. Nearing the end of 2025, the Welsh Rugby Union announced that it would cut one of the four Welsh regional teams by 2027.

According to recent reports, many have speculated that the teams in question would be the Ospreys and Scarlets. Three Ospreys are named in the team to play Ireland tonight: captain Dewi Lake, Kieran Hardy, and Dan Edwards. Meanwhile, the Scarlets have four players in the Wales matchday 23.

"Yeah, exactly, it hasn't been a talking point for us really, it's about the Welsh national team, it's about what we can do against them, and like I mean, some of the provinces are going pretty well. You see Cardiff towards the top of the URC."

"Obviously, Alex Mansdon is playing well in the back row, and Botham as well. So they're two Cardiff fellows who will be coming up against tomorrow. So there's been some good stuff from their club teams as well."

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