Stander always knew Doris would take his spot

Ireland’s CJ Stander has revealed he once joked about Caelan Doris taking his No 8 jersey with his new team-mate’s father.

Former Ireland Under-20 captain Doris, pictured, is poised to make his international debut in the position during today’s Guinness Six Nations opener against Scotland in Dublin.

South Africa-born Stander has consequently been switched to blindside flanker for head coach Andy Farrell’s first game in charge after his light-hearted comments proved prophetic. “I think he’s a great ball player, he’s got a great work rate and he’s still young so there’s a lot more to come from him, I would say,” Stander said of 21-year-old Doris.

“I actually met his dad, about seven months ago. He told me that his son’s coming through and I was joking – he’s going to take my spot!”

Stander, who is set to win his 39th Ireland cap, feels equally adept in the No 6 role and believes it his job to make Doris’ maiden appearance as comfortable as possible.

“It’s not a big switch for me, it’s just a number change, and my job there is to make sure I get into space a little bit and work with the boys around me and give them an easier job,” continued the 29-yearold Munster man. “I talked to him [Doris] and told him just go out there and do what got him here and enjoy it because it’s Six Nations and it’s special.”

Farrell’s first starting XV shows four changes from the team which crashed out of the World Cup to the All Blacks under predecessor Joe Schmidt, while hooker Ronan Kelleher could make his debut from the bench.