Nathan Doak (born 17 December 2001) is an Irish rugby union player who plays scrum-half and fly-half for Ulster in the United Rugby Championship and the European Rugby Champions Cup.
The son of the former Ulster scrum-half and head coach Neil Doak, his brother Cameron is also a rugby union player. He was a mascot and a ball-boy at Ravenhill as a child.Ciaran Donaghy, "Nathan Doak preparing for special Ulster debut 11 years on from proud night", News Letter, 2 January 2021 He started playing rugby at Wallace High School in Lisburn, and was part of the team that shared the Ulster Schools' Cup with The Royal School, Armagh, after the final was called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Patrick McCarry, "'Why not? I'm not doing anything else' - The conversation that changed Nathan Doak's rugby career", Sports Joe, 11 April 2022 He won the Ulster Boys' Schools Player of the Year award in 2020."Ulster Rugby Domestic Rugby Awards: Winners revealed in virtual ceremony", Ulster Rugby, 26 June 2020
He played for Ulster A in the 2019–20 Celtic Cup, before joining the Ulster academy for the 2020–21 season. He made his Ulster debut in Round 10 of the 2020–21 Pro14 against .
He signed a development contract with Ulster ahead of the 2021-22 season. He impressed in the absence of John Cooney with injury, scoring 48 points in nine appearances, and was awarded a senior contract in December.Orla Bannon, "Boost for Ulster as exciting scrum-half Nathan Doak signs first senior contract", Irish Examiner, 23 December 2021 He made his first Champions Cup start against Northampton Saints in January 2022, scoring a try in a 24-20 victory."Young guns repaying McFarland with adventurous brand of rugby", The Front Row Union, 19 January 2022 He finished the season with 23 appearances and 134 points, and was nominated for Young Men's Player of the Year in the 2022 Ulster Rugby Awards."Nominees announced for 2021/22 Heineken Ulster Rugby Awards", Ulster Rugby, 22 June 2022 He finished the 2022–23 season with 20 appearances and 80 points for Ulster. He unexpectedly made his 50th Ulster appearance against Glasgow Warriors in November 2023, being named on the bench at the last minute following the withdrawal of Jake Flannery, then playing most of the game at out-half after Billy Burns went off with a head injury.Jonathan Bradley, "Nathan Doak taking unfamiliar 10 role in stride, insists Ulster coach Dan Soper", Belfast Telegraph, 29 November 2023 Since the departure of former head coach Dan McFarland and the arrival of interim head coach Richie Murphy, he has been selected more regularly at out-half.Adam McKendry, "Ulster head coach Richie Murphy gives Nathan Doak the nod at fly-half", Belfast Telegraph, 29 March 2024
He made his 100th appearance for Ulster in an away loss to Scarlets in the URC in January 2026.Michael Sadlier, "Heartbreak for Ulster in Llanelli as Scarlets score last gasp try", Belfast Telegraph, 24 January 2026
National team Doak represented Ireland at U18 and U19 level. He was selected for the Ireland national under-20 rugby union team for the 2021 Six Nations Under 20s Championship. He played in the victory against Wales, scoring three penalties, three conversions and a 50-metre try;"Stunning Doak score leads Ireland under-20s to bonus-point win over Wales", Six Nations Rugby, 25 June 2021 in the defeat to England, scoring a penalty and a conversion;"England under-20s keep Grand Slam dream alive after beating Ireland", Six Nations Rugby, 1 July 2021 in the win over Italy, scoring two penalties and two conversions;"Kendellen double leads Ireland fightback in thrilling win over Italy", Six Nations Rugby, 7 July 2021 and in the defeat to France, scoring two conversions and three penalties.John McMurtry, "SIX NATIONS: IRELAND U20 28 FRANCE U20 34", The Front Row Union, 14 July 2021
He was selected for the Emerging Ireland squad for the Toyota Challenge in South Africa in September 2022."Emerging Ireland Squad Named For Toyota Challenge In Bloemfontein", Irish Rugby, 14 September 2022 He was called up to the Ireland squad for the 2024 tour of South Africa after Craig Casey was injured in the first test, but as he was behind Conor Murray and Caolin Blade on the depth chart, did not earn a cap."Ireland Squad Update", Irish Rugby, 8 July 2024 He was selected in the Ireland squad for the 2026 Six Nations Championship, and made his senior international debut from the bench in a 27-17 win against Wales on 6 March 2026.Cian Tracey, "Ireland survive Welsh dogfight under Friday night lights in Dublin to keep Triple Crown hopes alive", Belfast Telegraph, 6 March 2026
References
External links
Ulster Rugby profile United Rugby Championship profile