The Albany Gazette - Irish captain Doris proud of 'big performance' in win over Scots

The Irish were always ahead but the Scots kept getting back within striking distance for most of the match. Sterling defence, especially in the final 10 minutes, helped the Irish to a memorable win.

Doris and his team had started the tournament with a 36-14 hammering by France with many saying they were a side in decline.

He ended the Six Nations with a man-of-the-match performance and lifting the Triple Crown, beating a Scotland team who had arrived in Dublin on the back of a 50-40 victory over France.

"We asked for a big performance from some of our senior players and big match players and they stood up," Doris told ITV.

"The likes of Tadhg Beirne, some of the turnovers he got were crucial.

"We saw what their attack was capable of last week and again today it came in waves but our defence stood up and big moments helped keep them out."

Doris said the tournament had shown the strength in depth head coach Andy Farrell has developed.

"There's unbelievable experience built by this group and it showed the competition and depth in the squad, long may it continue," said Doris.

The Irish hold a three-point lead over France, who entertain out of form England later on Saturday.

"It's a rare day as an Irish man to be cheering them (England) on but we have controlled what we can control and now we'll sit back and be cheering them on later on," said Doris.

His Scotland opposite number Sione Tuipulotu had hoped to be the first Scottish captain to win in Dublin since 2010 and lift the Triple Crown for the first time since 1990 in the old Five Nations.

"I'm gutted. We really set our sights on coming here and getting a result, but Ireland were too good today," he told the BBC.

"(Collisions) are where it was won and lost. I'm proud of the way we stuck in it, but we can't make the errors we did.

"I think we've made progression, but we want to be where these guys are with a trophy.

"We were physically prepared, it's on us as players."

One of Ireland's stars of the tournament has been Robert Baloucoune and the Ulster wing did not disappoint in the final match, scoring a superb try.

He was bashful, though, when he was named rising star of the Six Nations.

"It's probably something I didn't think would happen," he said.

"At 28 I think I'm a bit old to be getting named a rising star. You have to put your best foot forward and take your opportunity."

(W.Williams--TAG)