Oct 14,2024
Leinster captain Caelan Doris has warned there is more to come from the province, despite their perfect start to the BKT United Rugby Championship season.
Four bonus-point wins from four games leaves Leinster top of the table, four points ahead of defending champions Glasgow Warriors, who are back in second.
For the second week in a row, a first-half flurry of tries did the damage for the province as they defeated Munster 26-12 at Croke Park in front of 80,468 supporters.
Doris, James Lowe and Hugo Keenan all crossed the line inside the opening quarter of an hour, before RG Snyman's try on the stroke of half time. From there, the province’s defence took over, keeping Munster at arm’s length and ensuring there would be no miracle comeback.
Against Benetton in Italy last week, Leo Cullen’s side also flew out of the blocks, running into a 28-0 lead before eventually winning 35-5.
And Doris says while they’re pleased with how they are setting pace in the league, adding more second-half points will be their next priority.
"If you look at 20 for 20 points, from that perspective yeah [it’s a perfect start] but from a performance [point of view] of course not," the Leinster captain said.
"There’s still plenty of growth in there, plenty of things we can get better at. Discipline this week and last week allowed Benetton and Munster back into the game.
"Of course, part of that is the quality they have and putting us under pressure that led to ill-discipline but some of it is in our control as well, so there’s plenty of growth and there’s plenty of want within the group to get better as well. It’s still definitely early days."
While the province aren’t putting up huge scores on the opposition, their relentless defensive energy has ensured they haven’t had to.
With a full pre-season working alongside their senior coach Jacques Nienaber, Leinster look much more comfortable under the South African’s famed rush-defence system.
Doris appears to be thriving under that system, with the 26-year-old having a team-high 20 tackles and two turnovers won, while he also topped his side’s attacking efforts with ten successful carries, including one try.
"I think there's more understanding in what we want to do [defensively], there's more clarity within it and our work-rate.
"Even if they do want to beat us out wide, our want to scramble hard for each other has improved definitely off the back of last year.
"It's still by no means perfect but yeah, improved on last year," he added.
Saturday’s Interpro was the province’s second time playing at Croke Park in recent months after their Investec Champions Cup semi-final win against Northampton Saints in May.
The common denominator in each of those wins has been a lightning fast start, and Doris says the atmosphere at a packed Croke Park has played a big part in that.
"We wanted to feed the crowd and them to feed us and have that symbiotic relationship with them through a fast start. It was a class atmosphere.
"I love playing in different stadiums. It’s very enjoyable. I’ve been here watching Mayo a few times. It's obviously a very unique and iconic stadium. So it was class playing at it.
"Because it's rare, it's extra special. Having 82,000 at a club game is pretty unique. There’s not many clubs worldwide that have a fanbase that big that can do that and sell-out. So from that perspective it's pretty unique," Doris added.
