Neil Doak is this week set to be confirmed as the next head coach of Ulster in succession to Mark Anscombe, who parted company with the province at the end of last season. With Les Kiss entering his final week as interim director of rugby, negotiations are at an advanced stage with Doak to become the next head coach and this could be confirmed in the next day or two.
The 42-year-old, Lisburn-born former Ulster scrumhalf played 76 games for the province before retiring in April 2005, as well as representing Ireland 32 times at cricket as a right-handed middle order batsman and offspin bowler.
Doak has been coaching since his retirement, working with the Ulster under-19s and 20s as assistant coach, and he was also backs’ coach on Ireland’s North American tour of 2013 alongside Kiss and Anthony Foley.
He is highly regarded by Foley and the departed Director of Rugby at Ulster, David Humphreys, as well as the Ulster players, for his technical knowledge, innovation and attention to detail. His imminent promotion, with Jonny Bell remaining as defence coach and the newly-promoted Allen Clarke as forwards coach, means Ulster are set to follow Munster in assembling an indigenous coaching ticket as well as ensuring a degree of continuity.
