The China Mail - No room for complacency, says Irish captain Doris

The Irish will hope to get over the second hurdle in their bid for an unprecedented third successive Six Nations crown at Murrayfield on Sunday.

They arrive in Edinburgh on the back of an opening 27-22 win over England last weekend, but lost key wing Mack Hansen on Saturday owing to a tight hamstring.

The Scots began their campaign with a 31-19 win over Italy, showing their mettle in not panicking when the Italians came back from 14-0 down to tie the game at 19-19.

Performances like that said Doris highlighted why he and his team-mates would not be looking at the record books regarding their previous encounters.

Indeed the Scots pushed the Irish all the way in their final encounter in the championship last year, Ireland edging over the line to secure the title.

"I don't think there's any room for that (complacency), given the respect we have for them," said Doris at his eve of match press conference on Saturday.

"You hear that outside noise about our record against them, but it hasn't been talked about in here and we've been preparing for a proper Test match.

"We've seen what they've been about over the last number of years, most recently last weekend.

"Especially at home there's that extra element.

"We've prepared accordingly and we're ready for a proper battle."

Doris, 26, said the Scots possessed many threats, including wing Duhan van der Merwe, although centre Huw Jones grabbed the honours against Italy scoring a hat-trick of tries.

"We'll have our hands full," said Doris.

"The way fly-half Finn Russell plays the game, very much head up, plays what's in front of him and if there's any sort of a disconnection there, he'll take it.

"He's got eyes on the back-field too. So, yeah, their attack is very dangerous."

Doris, who replaced veteran Peter O'Mahony as captain for last November's Tests, said it was a shame to lose Hansen.

However, his replacement Calvin Nash, who will win his ninth cap, was a more than adequate stand-in and it would not disrupt their preparation.

"Disappointing for Mack, obviously, he's been an integral part of what we've been about over the last number of years, but I think he's made the right call," said Doris.

"There's a lot of trust in Calvin in how he's been with us over the last number of years but also how he's played for much of this year.

"It should be quite a seamless transition.

"Lads are disappointed for Mack, but what an opportunity for Calvin at the same time."

A.Kwok--ThChM