Leinster tore into Munster from kick-off to get their Croke Park support screaming
New Leinster captain Caelan Doris revealed how this fixture was circled by the Blues brothers from a long way out and they were all-in to deliver in this URC interpro derby
Caelan Doris says Leinster were pumped up for a fast start at Croke Park to get their fans roaring.
The Blues stormed into their battle with Munster at GAA HQ, with new captain Doris leading the charge. The Ireland star tore into the burly Reds prop Stephen Archer in the opening exchanges - and his team-mates followed suit as they blitzed their bitter rivals.
Three tries in the opening 14 minutes - Doris himself grabbed the second - told the story as Munster were left dazed and confused in the province's first Croker appearance in 15 years.
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"We wanted to feed the crowd and them to feed us and have that symbiotic relationship with them through a fast start," said Doris. "It was a class atmosphere."
Head coach Leo Cullen added: "The players drove everything this week.
"They’ve been excellent in the way the leaders have driven the group. They just know the enormity of the occasion and they want to just put it out there for the fans that are turning out to see them.
"We’re playing in bigger stadiums and the buy-in from the supporters is unbelievable and hopefully we will see that during the course of the season. And hopefully see the players are putting it out there.
"And that’s where you do see the special bit, between the fans’ reaction and the players buying into that atmosphere as well."
So it proved. Leinster players celebrated turnovers like tries and Doris explained why.
"Well, when you’re looking at the season even during the off-season it’s one that excites you, playing in Croke Park, playing against Munster," the 26-year-old back row said.
"It's the rivalry plus the unique opportunity of playing here - it's one that’s been exciting lads for a couple of months at this stage.
"It's class. I love playing in different stadia. It’s very enjoyable. I’ve been here watching Mayo a few times. It's obviously a very unique and iconic stadium. So yeah, it was class playing 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, yeah, it's pretty unique.
"There’s been a good buzz through the week. We know the quality Munster have and how they’ve been on the rise over the last couple of years and they’ve beaten us at times so we wanted to put in a big performance.
"We wanted to start well, we wanted to give the 82,000 plus here something to cheer for especially early on and I think we did that quite well with a fast start."
It was that highly impressive opening 15 minutes that most pleased Doris, who has taken over the captaincy from James Ryan and Garry Ringrose this season and is a contender to lead Ireland in the November internationals.
Leinster were similarly good in the first half against Benetton the previous week, but only scored one try over the course of both second halves in the space of seven days - Lee Barron's late five-pointer in Treviso.
Doris doesn't see it as a trend forming. "There were things we had to deal with in that second half that probably we adapted well to," he said. "Lads playing in different positions, we had a couple of props in the back row at one stage."
Saturday's 26-12 victory moved the URC table-toppers onto 20 points - nine points ahead of the Reds - after four bonus point victories.
Yet he insists there is much more to come from Leo Cullen's charges as he gently dismisses talk of the province enjoying the perfect start to the new campaign.
"Well if you look at 20 for 20 points, from that perspective, yeah" Doris said. "But from a performance view, of course not.
"There’s still plenty of growth in there, plenty of things we can get better at. Discipline this week and last week, we allowed Benetton last week and Munster back into the game.
"Of course, part of that is the quality they have and putting us under pressure that leads 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."
After two appearances it is clear that RG Snyman's presence will make Leinster a more formidable force again this term. The bonus point try-scorer enjoyed a barnstorming 50 minutes on his 'home' debut.
"He's been class," Doris said. "The quality he has on the pitch, I've been extremely impressed by his presence and his knowledge, his IP off the pitch as well, he has become a leader for us very quickly and offers a different perspective.
"He has taken control of the lineout along with the other second rows we have and yeah, he's doing a really good job, he's been very impressive."
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