It’s hard to believe that Nathan Doak has just turned 23.
He only made his debut in 2021, but already the scrum-half has amassed 76 caps for Ulster. Lining up on Saturday night with Jack Murphy (2 caps), Jude Postlethwaite (20), and Ben Carson (7), Doak must’ve felt like a veteran.
While Doak is far from the being one of the team’s elder statesmen, he did deliver a performance of great maturity in the 17-7 win over Connacht at the Dexcom Stadium.
Doak brought more tempo to his play while his kicking game was on the money too. He also landed his three attempts at goal with two conversions and a penalty to his name.
With Ireland struggling for back-up options to Jamison Gibson Park for the upcoming Six Nations, Doak more than served noticed that he is ready and able to step up to the international arena.
But his focus at the minute is all on Ulster and getting back to winning ways.
“Unreal,” was how Doak described Saturday night’s win. “We needed a win and we came up with one and it was brilliant to be a part of it.
“It was a special night with a lot of lads making first, second, third starts and debut in there for Wilhelm de Klerk as well, so I’m sure they’ll remember that one.”
Coming off the back of five straight losses, most observers felt that run would be extended to six. Particularly if you had a glance at the two respective team sheets.
“Yeah, I think they were full strength and you could say we weren’t. But it was 15 v 15 so we went out there and we had full belief in ourselves and we put out a performance that was desperately needed from us”
With so many injuries, Ulster fielded with a makeshift backline which included Jack Murphy at out-half.
Murphy, son of head coach Richie, made his first start on Saturday and delivered a performance beyond his years and Doak can’t wait to go on to play more games with the former Ireland under-20 star.
“First time playing with him and it was great. And you know, he’s young, his second game but there is a really calm head to him. It’s great playing beside him. He gives me a lot of confidence and direction so it was very enjoyable,” added Doak.
Ulster have been continually trying to play a fast, exciting brand of rugby since Murphy arrived. But Saturday was a night to roll up the sleeves and get dirty. And in doing so Ulster delivered the best defensive performance of the season.
“You know we were asked during the week that we needed more from our defence. We needed to get off the line and we needed to be more physical and hopefully you seen that tonight because it felt like when I was out there, that’s what it felt like. It was asked of us and hopefully we delivered on it.”
