‘Presence precedes performance’
Donna Ahern caught up with Irish Rugby Captain, Caelan Doris to discuss his continued role as Lucozade Sport brand ambassador and the standout moments of his sports career to date
Print28 September 2026
Lucozade Sport ambassador and Irish Rugby captain, Caelan Doris hails from Lacken, Co. Mayo.
A number eight for Leinster and Ireland, Doris began
playing rugby with Ballina RFC before attending Blackrock College in Dublin from the age of 12.
While at Blackrock, he was part of the school’s victorious Leinster Schools Senior Cup team in 2014 and captained the side in 2016. He went on to
study psychology at University College Dublin and represented Ireland at Under-20 level for two years, captaining the team in his second season.
Doris captained Ireland during their 2025 Six Nations campaign and was named Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Player of the Year. He has also been an ambassador for Ireland’s number one Sports Drink and Irish Rugby’s Official Hydration Partner for the past two years.
Speaking to ShelfLife, Doris discusses what he has learned about the role hydration and nutrition play in performance — and how that knowledge has changed his own approach to training.
Q: Over the past two years working with Lucozade Sport, what have you learned about the role hydration and nutrition play in performance that has changed your own approach to training?
A: The biggest thing I’ve learned is that performance is really an accumulation of small decisions. Hydration and nutrition aren’t always glamorous, but they’re two of the easiest ways to give yourself a better chance of performing well. You don’t notice them as much when you get them right, but you definitely notice when you don’t.
Q: Looking back over your career so far, who has been the toughest opponent you’ve faced on the rugby pitch, and what made them such a difficult challenge?
A: South Africa are probably the toughest team I’ve played against. They’re incredibly physical, but what stands out most is how clear they are on their DNA. They know exactly how they want to play and they execute it relentlessly. That’s always a great challenge.
Q: For young boys and girls dreaming of playing professional rugby, what advice would you give them about developing both their skills and the right mindset?
A: Enjoy the game first. The people who go furthest usually keep their curiosity and love for improving. Focus on mastering the basics & building good habits, be willing to make mistakes, and aim to leave every session a little better than you arrived.
Q: Captaining both Leinster and Ireland is a huge responsibility. How has leadership changed the way you approach training, preparation, and match day?
A: Leadership has made me realise that your role is to create an environment where other people can thrive. Sometimes that’s setting standards, sometimes it’s listening, sometimes it’s challenging someone. It’s less about being the loudest voice and more about bringing out the best in the group.
Q: Every athlete faces setbacks, whether it’s injuries or tough defeats. How do you stay motivated and bounce back when things don’t go your way?
A: Setbacks have taught me that growth isn’t always linear. Some of the most difficult periods of my career have also been the ones I’ve learned the most from. You can’t always choose what happens, but you can choose how you respond. If you keep showing up each day and stay curious about where the growth lies within the challenge, you usually come out stronger.
Q: Rugby demands peak physical and mental performance. What does your typical preparation look like in the days leading up to a big match?
A: I believe performance is really built on habits. The focus is on priming habits in training during the week, sleeping well, eating well, staying hydrated and sticking to a routine that helps me feel calm, present and ready to perform.
Q: Is there a match or moment in your career that stands out as the one, you’re most proud of, and why does it mean so much to you?
A: Winning the Grand Slam in Dublin is probably the standout. It wasn’t just about the result, it represented years of commitment, growth and shared belief from a lot of people. Those moments remind you that while rugby can be incredibly demanding, it’s ultimately the people you share it with that make it so rewarding.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given, and how has it influenced your career or your life away from rugby?
A: Presence precedes performance. The more present you can be, the better your decisions, your connections and ultimately your performance become.
Q: Fans see you on the pitch every week, but what’s something about you that most people don’t already know?
A: I am pretty curious, especially when it comes to psychology, meditation, and human performance. I’m fascinated by trying to understand why people think and behave the way they do and what helps people grow, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too. I spend a lot of my free time exploring that.
Read more: I’m with the brand: Joe McCarthy, brand ambassador for Ballygowan – Shelflife Magazine
© 2026 ShelfLife by Donna Ahern
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