Doris, who switches from number 8 to openside flanker, said: “It\u2019s an exciting team we\u2019ve got tomorrow. There\u2019s obviously a few changes, so getting cohesion through the week has been important.<\/p>\n
“The message to those guys (coming into the team) is to trust themselves.<\/p>\n
“Same with all of us really off the back of a defeat like that; doubling down on what we\u2019re good at, doing things properly with intent, enjoying it and enjoying it from doing things properly with intent as well.<\/p>\n
“Creating a feeling through how we show up with actions, and it can be infectious that. But also to the new guys it\u2019s making sure they own it and make it feel like it\u2019s properly theirs.<\/p>\n
“You can\u2019t have any passengers tomorrow, so, yeah, full ownership from everyone.”<\/p>\n
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has made six changes to the team to face Italy in round two of the #SixNations<\/a> #RTERugby<\/a> #RTESport<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/ULP8A1vxqO<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 RT\u00c9 Sport (@RTEsport) February 12, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Ireland were outclassed during a 36-14 loss in Paris<\/a>, prompting further question marks about their ability to compete with the world\u2019s best sides.<\/p>\n Doris retains faith in the team\u2019s evolution and hopes the Stade de France setback can be a watershed moment following a thorough internal investigation.<\/p>\n “There\u2019s been several chats throughout the week,” he said.<\/p>\n “The big thing has been about holding each other more accountable as a leadership group, as a wider group, all of us taking full ownership and driving things in the right direction.<\/p>\n “We\u2019ve kind of spoken a little bit about last week being a reference point that we\u2019ll hopefully look back on from a place of improvement this week, but also going forward as well.<\/p>\n “There\u2019s a realisation that we do need to improve, but there is still belief in what we\u2019re doing, and just the need to do things properly.”<\/p>\n Italy have lost all of their previous 13 Six Nations matches in Dublin but launched this year\u2019s campaign with an 18-15 win over Scotland<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Azzurri also pushed Ireland hard on the final weekend of the 2025 tournament before succumbing to a 22-17 loss in Rome.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s no longer a case of them just being a very passionate team,” said Doris.<\/p>\n “They\u2019ve got a properly good attack now, defensively they\u2019ve always been pretty strong and are willing to get off the line and hit properly and you saw that last week in the wet conditions.<\/p>\n “Their scrum has improved quite a lot, they\u2019ve got a big pack but I think probably their biggest weapon is their attack with the back three they have, with some of the forwards, their ability to play at the line, but also pull it back, play wide and deep.<\/p>\n “For us it all starts with the collision.”<\/p>\n \n Listen to the RT\u00c9 Rugby podcast on Apple Podcasts<\/a>, Spotify<\/a> or wherever you get your podcasts<\/a>, and email us at sportpodcasts@rte.ie<\/p>\n Watch Ireland v Italy in the Under-20 Six Nations on Friday from 7.25pm on RT\u00c92 and RT\u00c9 Player. Watch Scotland v England on RT\u00c9 Player<\/p>\n Follow a live blog on Ireland v Italy in the Six Nations on Saturday from 2.10pm on the RT\u00c9 News App and on rte.ie\/sport. Listen to commentary on Saturday Sport on RT\u00c9 Radio 1<\/p>\n ![\"Six](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/0023dffd-614.jpg\"\/)
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