‘It’s Another Chance To Put My Hand Up’ – Doak On His Ireland Ambitions

“I’ve said it numerous times, any time you get to put an Ulster jersey on it’s so special. I’ve been here a few years now, and I’ve played with these lads and they’re good friends, the lads that are leaving.

“‘Hendy’ (Iain Henderson) asked the group today, ‘What does this mean for us?’, and the overriding feeling was we want to win and we want to give these lads a good send-off.

“It’s their last game and that’s the one they’ll remember for a while. There’s no shortage of motivation for us to try and go over and make it as special for them as possible.”

Starting again alongside Jack Murphy at half-back, this will be Doak’s 89th senior appearance for Ulster, and he is still just 23. He made his Ireland ‘A’ debut against their English counterparts in Bristol in February, adding to his international experience.

He was part of the Emerging Ireland squad that toured South Africa in 2022 and won all three games under Simon Easterby. He got his first taste of the Ireland senior set-up last summer, drafted in as injury cover for Craig Casey during the drawn series with the Springboks.

Making the breakthrough at Test level would be huge for him personally, and featuring in a winning Ulster side this week would certainly help his cause as they look to end Richie Murphy’s first full season in charge on a positive note.

Asked about finishing out of the running in the URC and missing out on Champions Cup rugby for 2025/26, Doak admitted: “Devastated is probably the word that comes to mind when you think about.

“Not a nice position to be in as players and people who support the province. There’s definitely a bit of hurt going round the changing room, but we have another game this weekend.

“I think if you look at the whole season, there’s a lot of things that you could pick out. We haven’t quite done that yet because we’ve obviously got a game this week, we haven’t sat down and had a season review or anything like that.

“It’s been very much harsh, honest truths about the Munster game (a 38-20 defeat last week), and what we didn’t do well there and trying to fix them for this week.

“I think everyone knows there’s a lot we could have done better throughout the year.”

Doak has been Ulster’s top points scorer in the URC this season, with his 60 points made up of two tries and 23 successful kicks at goal. He has an 82% success rate from the tee, and has been the province’s joint-most used back in the league, alongside Michael Lowry, with 16 appearances.

John Cooney has been regularly at the top of the scoring charts during his time at Ulster, which is coming to an end after eight memorable years. The Ireland international is moving to Brive, and Doak praised the impact he has had on not just himself but the whole Ulster squad.

“He (Cooney) came up to me today and said, ‘This is our final week together’, which is probably the first time it hit me that we’ll not be having him running round the place (any more).

“He’s a great friend and he’ll be sorely missed not just by me but by everyone round here.”

While the likes of Alan O’Connor and Matty Rea are also leaving the province, an already youthful Ulster squad has Academy locks Joe Hopes and Charlie Irvine progressing to development contracts, and out-half James Humphreys moving to a senior deal.

After his involvement in Northampton Saints’ quest for Investec Champions Cup glory, powerful South African number 8 Juarno Augustus could be a key signing for Murphy’s men. Props Sam Crean and Rory McGuire are also making the move to Belfast.

Despite some disappointing spells at key stages of the year, Ulster have had some strong individual performers in Cormac Izuchukwu and James McNabney, who were both involved with Ireland during the Six Nations window, and promising number 10 Murphy.

The highest Ulster can finish in the URC table this weekend is 11th, but Doak is confident that Ulster can produce improved form and results next season, with players a year older and wiser, and hopefully a better run of luck with injuries.