As a new era for Irish rugby begins under the guidance of Andy Farrell, there is perhaps no player generating more excitement than Leinster's Caelan Doris.
The 21-year-old will make his international debut at number 8 against Scotland on Saturday meaning CJ Stander will be moved to number 6.
Speaking on Friday's Off The Ball, former Leinster number 8 Liam Toland detailed how the combination will create a greater "balance" across the back row.
"I've always been an advocate for a footballing number 8 and I think Doris is one in the sense that he has the ability to manage the base of a scrum but he also understands space. He understands utilising space and three-v-twos.
"We don't give enough credit to number 8s, [Anthony] Foley could do it easily – now he wasn't the quickest over the ground but if you go back to number 8s who have played for Ireland, it's always been a strong ingredient, a footballing number 8 and Doris is one."
Comparing the former Ireland U20s captain's potential to the role of Kieran Read for the All Blacks, Toland explained how similarly a player with Doris' creativity can offer Farrell a number of options in how to set up the team.
"A guy like Doris completely allows a coaching structure to have a tactical game plan when they are faced with challenges because he has the skills to play across the full 70 metres and we know that because Leinster expect him to have those skills.
"Therefore, he already has them even as a young guy and I think he can grow into that role where a game plan can be built around him subtly like that."
Toland further added that Stander's move to blindside will allow him to flourish after a disappointing World Cup at number 8.
"When you move Stander to blindside we are saying, 'Listen we are taking the football decision-making process off you and we are giving you a specific role.' I have always advocated for him, because he is quick, to be attacking in a different point then he is currently. He was getting killed, like.
14 December 2019; Caelan Doris of Leinster scores his side's seventh try during the Heineken Champions Cup Pool 1 Round 4 match between Leinster and Northampton Saints at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile"Adam Hastings is playing at 10 and if we can set up structures where he is running at Hastings and he doesn't have a footballing decision to make you are putting him in a place to create damage. I think that will be hugely beneficial."
Just as Stander allowed Jamie Heaslip to thrive at number 8, Toland concluded that the new set up can similarly get the best out of both Stander and Doris.
"You see when someone like Heaslip and Stander shared the back row it was very interesting to see how that impacted Heaslip."
"With Doris, I'm not over-egging him but I think he is your classic footballing number 8 who has the brains and athleticism, maybe not quite yet athletically, he will get there, but he can play across 70 metres and it's very exciting as a result."
"He has the skills to play across the full 70 metres and we know that because Leinster expect him to have those skills."
Liam Toland explains how Caelan Doris and CJ Stander will provide more balance to Ireland's back row.
Full Scotland preview: https://t.co/m4GQkvbSzD pic.twitter.com/mr19Dbmwv7— Off The Ball (@offtheball) February 1, 2020
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