Neil Doak named new Ulster Head Coach

Doak has an almost 20 year association with the Province. He made his debut as a player in 1995 against Northern Transvaal and went on to make 76 appearances for Ulster before retiring in 2005.

A talented all round sportsman, he also won 32 international caps for Ireland at cricket.

He began coaching while still a player, becoming an Ulster Branch development officer in 2000.

Following his retirement he worked with Academy players as a high performance coach. ??He led the Ulster U19, U20 and 'A' sides and was quickly promoted to the senior set-up where he took up a role as elite player development officer.

He became backs coach in 2009 and is credited with transforming Ulster Rugby into one of the most potent attacking sides in Europe.

His coaching ability was recognised by Ireland in the summer of 2013 when he joined Les Kiss and now Munster Head Coach, Antony Foley, in leading the Ireland international side on their summer tour of North America.

This summer he and Connacht's Dan McFarland coached Emerging Ireland to victory in the IRB Nations Cup in Romania.

Commenting on his appointment, Neil Doak said: "I am extremely proud to have been appointed as Ulster's Head Coach and to have been given this opportunity is a fantastic honour for me.

"I played all my rugby at Ulster and I have coached here now for more than 14 years. I am proud to be from this Province and my aim over the next three seasons is to get the best out of our players and to help deliver success."

Ulster's Chief Executive, Shane Logan, said:

"In looking for a new Head Coach we sought someone with passion, integrity and the ability to drive Ulster forward. Neil has all those qualities in abundance.

"I am extremely pleased that someone who has invested so much into rugby in the Province has now earned the right to be the Head Coach of the senior team.

"We consulted widely on the best candidate for this role and no matter who we asked, whether it was players, management or staff, the same answer kept being given - th e best person to be Head Coach at Ulster Rugby is Neil Doak.

"Over the past four seasons we have improved continuously and Neil has been instrumental in that growth. I have absolutely no doubt that he will be hugely successful in the coming years."