\n<\/p>\n
England’s only victories in the eight games since that dramatic win last year have come against Japan and they struggled to see out games during the autumn.<\/p>\n
They had been similarly lacking rhythm when the sides met 11 months ago, but Doris said Ireland had a sense that there was a “big performance brewing”.<\/p>\n
“It’s always the ultimate test coming up against these guys. There’s a rich history and a massive rivalry there over the last number of years. <\/p>\n
“We’d had a pretty good run [last year], fourth round going in over there and there was a lot of belief. We also respected them massively and knew that there was a big performance brewing from them.<\/p>\n
“They obviously hadn’t gone so well at that point but you look back six months prior to that and they’re in a World Cup final [semi-final]. It’s similar now in that they’ve been on the wrong side of some of their results in the autumn but we have massive respect for them as a team and the quality in their squad.”<\/p>\n
Despite winning three of four Tests in the autumn, there was a feeling that Ireland had not hit top form themselves in November. Handling issues and a slew of penalty concessions were evident in a defeat to New Zealand and victories over Argentina and Australia alike. <\/p>\n
When asked for areas improvement, Doris talked about discipline, the line-out and scrum, as well as the attack and breakdown, before noting he had “mentioned basically the whole game”.<\/p>\n
He added: “But there is that feeling that there is growth from individuals, from us as a collective across the board, and that’s the exciting thing for us.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n