Ireland star and Mayo native Caelan Doris has novel suggestion to improve Aviva atmosphere

Dedicated student sections where fans supporters are "encouraged to have a few more pints" could ramp up the Aviva Stadium atmosphere, says Caelan Doris.

The Lacken native, a past pupil of Creevagh National School, made history last weekend as the first Mayo man to captain the Ireland rugby team.

Ireland enjoyed a 36-0 win over Italy on Sunday to remain firmly on course for a second Guinness Six Nations championship in a row.

However, many observers have commented on the disengaged crowd during the comprehensive victory with some players speaking about evident lulls during the match.

Doris, who began his career as a member of Ballina RFC’s under-7s mini rugby programme and captained the team in the absence of the injured Peter O’Mahony, noticed the quieter periods.

He says he believes that the organisers could take further steps to boost the atmosphere.

Some suggestions that have been made by others include lowering ticket prices or dedicated singing sections.

"Maybe, like you see in France, they’ve got the drums going and they’ve got a little bit more music or stuff like that although some people, the purists who are just there to watch the game might find that a little bit frustrating," Doris told RTÉ Sport.

"I think maybe having sections that are catered a little bit more for students or younger people and they are maybe encouraged to have a few more pints as well would be no harm."

The 25 year-old said he can understand the frustration if people are there to watch the match and people are "getting up and down in front of them", but he believes a balance could be found by having sections.

Meanwhile, Doris, was hugely impressed by the remarkable performance of eight year-old singer Stevie Mulrooney who sung a incredible rendition of Ireland’s Call.

"He was unbelievable, very impressive, the confidence and ability he has at such a young age," Doris said. "It was class, a pleasure to sing along with him. He was class on the Toy Show as well, good on him."

The Mayo man, who won his 38th cap against the Azzurri, said he hopes Stevie has an opportunity to do it again at some stage and stated they would love to "have him back".

Meanwhile, Doris says the players are excited by the challenge of becoming the first side to win back-to-back Six Nations Grand Slams, since France achieved the feat 26 years ago.

"It's something we have spoken about," he admitted.

"It's a very exciting prospect, the chance of doing back-to-back Grand Slams and creating a little bit of history. That's definitely a motivation for us."

However, Doris said if you focus too much on that aspect and do not concentrate on the preset and the next match he believes they will come 'unstuck'.

"I think it’s important to have touched on it and have it as sort of our overarching ambition, but then you come back to ‘process’ and how you get there. And that’s by being present and preparing as best as possible week to week," he added.