The Japan Times - Irish believe in themselves despite mixed results, says Doris

Ireland secured the Triple Crown but were soundly beaten by eventual champions France in Dublin and finished third in last year's Six Nations.

Losses to New Zealand and South Africa last November added to the sense they might be on the decline.

"At the core, I still feel there is a lot of belief there," said Doris, who was speaking at the launch of this year's Six Nations in Edinburgh.

"There's an understanding and an awareness that we need to grow and need to get better, and there's a willingness to do that as well."

They begin their campaign with a daunting trip to Paris to play France on February 5 in the opening match of this year's Six Nations.

Doris, who returned to action in November after missing the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia due to injury, said it is the type of match which "sharpens the mind".

"Evolution is the most important thing," said Doris.

"Off the back of November, it was mixed results-wise, it was mixed performances-wise, so keeping things moving in the right direction, plenty of areas for growth, and that's going to come from hard work.

"We've obviously got France first up which sharpens the mind, and we're looking for a strong performance away from home. Momentum is so important in this competition."

The Irish will be missing some key players for the France game, and more than likely the two that follow -- at home to Italy and then away to England at Twickenham.

Veteran prop Andrew Porter and livewire wing Mack Hansen, centre Robbie Henshaw as well as impressive back-row forward Ryan Baird are among those ruled out through injury.

On the positive side head coach Andy Farrell, who missed last year's tournament as he prepared for the Lions tour, said fullback Hugo Keenan, centre Jamie Osborne, and props Finlay Bealham and Tadhg Furlong are on course to be fit for the French encounter.

Farrell, who guided the Lions to a 2-1 series win over the Wallabies, said injuries were part and parcel of the sport and it presented opportunities to less experienced players to make their mark.

"Things are forever moving and changing and you've always different dynamics. There's always injuries," said the 50-year-old Englishman.

"You have to bring players in that might not have got that chance.

"People are always retiring, loss of form, all of that.

"We've got some good experience there making sure we learn from these experiences together as a group and connect together as a group and hopefully gel together for the here and now and the not too distant future as well."

M.Saito--JT