Ireland reveals tactic to nullify Pollock
SPOTLIGHT: Ireland captain Caelan made no secret of their plan to contain England sensation Henry Pollock in Saturday’s Six Nations clash at Twickenham.
Pollock will earn his first Test start at No.8 after a series of appearances off the bench for England.
Doris has told his side to put Henry Pollock “under pressure as much as possible” as they bid to win the battle of the back row against England.
With both sides having won one and lost one of their opening two fixtures, this weekend’s encounter is vital to their title hopes.
Pollock has been given his first Test start by England coach Steve Borthwick following seven dynamic displays off the bench, with the 21-year-old rising star selected at No 8 alongside Tom Curry and Ben Earl.
Ireland No.8 Doris will be joined in the visitors’ backrow by the recalled duo of Tadhg Beirne and Josh van der Flier as his side seeks to build on last weekend’s tense 20-13 win at home to Italy.
Doris, asked Friday how best to neutralise Northampton loose forward Pollock, replied: “[By] cutting out time and space as much as possible.
“He’s got the ability to make something happen from not a whole lot, so we’re going to need to pressure him.
“As a back row, they [England] have got a lot of breakdown threats, but also the ability with ball in hand to make something happen so it’s going to a good battle there.”
Pollock was alongside several Ireland internationals during last year’s victorious British and Irish Lions tour of Australia.
‘Big moments’
Leinster skipper Doris missed the combined side’s series against the Wallabies due to a shoulder injury suffered in his province’s 34-37 European Champions Cup semifinal loss to Northampton last May, with Pollock among the Saints’ try-scorers.
“I’d seen quite a bit of him [before that match],” Doris said.
“He’s obviously scored a lot of very good tries. He’s had some big moments, and I’m sure he’ll be hoping to do the same tomorrow.
“For us, it’s about putting him under pressure as much as possible, cutting out time where possible, and being connected around him.”
Ireland coach Andy Farrell has made five personnel changes to his starting side, with the main talking point flyhalf Jack Crowley’s return at the expense of Sam Prendergast, who drops out of the matchday 23 entirely.
“The No.10 [fly-half] has a big part in leading the attack during the week. Jack’s been great at doing that this week,” said the 27-year-old Doris.
“He’s an exciting attacking runner. He was very good last week when he came on and brought another level to our attack so I’m excited to see him with ball in hand and making things happen on Saturday.”
Ireland were unconvincing in defeating Italy after starting the tournament with a decisive 14-36 loss away to reigning champions France.
England launched their Six Nations campaign by thrashing a woeful Wales, only to suffer a 20-31 defeat by Scotland in last week’s Calcutta Cup clash at Murrayfield.
Ireland has won five of their past six matches against England, with Doris saying: “There’s always enough motivation playing against England.
“There’s an eagerness to hunt them down, to get after them, to show what we’re about.”
