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Ulster lock in trio, including two rising stars and an Ireland international

Nathan Doak /Getty

Irish province Ulser have locked in a trio of Christmas signing, with two rising stars and a fully-fledged Ireland international among them.

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Scrumhalf Nathan Doak, Ireland centre Stuart McCloskey and speedster Ethan McIlroy are the latest players to commit their futures to URC side.

Scrum-half Nathan Doak has piqued the interest of Ulster supporters since making his senior Ulster debut against Munster in December 2020, eleven years to the day before he ran out as a mascot against the same opposition.

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    The 20-year-old Irish U20s international has signed a four-year contract that will keep him at Kingspan Stadium until at least the summer of 2026.

    McCloskey, a staple in Ulster matchday squads, has nearly 150 appearances for his province and has been recognized internationally through his regular call-ups to the Ireland squad each season.

    McIlroy broke onto the forefront in December 2019 when he made his debut against Leinster. The former Irish U20s player from Belfast has been rewarded with a new three-year senior deal, which will keep him with the province until at least the end of the season.

    Head Coach Dan McFarland said: “To have three Ulster-born players sign long-term for the upcoming seasons is testament to their commitment to the province they developed their game in.

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    “With Stuart having established himself as a strong defender, ball-carrier and play-maker, while Nathan and Ethan are two exciting young prospects who have already proven themselves at a senior level, it’s clear that all three will play an important role in our ambitions as a club in the upcoming seasons.”

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    TL 8 minutes ago
    'The Wallabies only have themselves to blame': How the Lions sunk Australia in Melbourne

    I agree, the comparison to Rassie in 2021 is unfair. Schmidt despite being highly emotional was scrupulous in not making it a personal grudge match, and in the circumstances I think he behaved in a decent way. What Rassie did was unhinged and extreme. Why fudge the two together? It’s much more common for coaches to do what Joe did, and it was unusual for him, he resisted efforts of journo’s to get him talking about the cards that weren’t in Test 1. He’s taken exception in this instance, if he was doing it all the time I’d dismiss it, but he’s got some cred so I take it a little more seriously when he speaks up.


    Otherwise Mr Bishop/ Nick you have yet again proven your acumen as a selector and tactician this series, making calls before not after the event, like any good analyst would. Schmidt was cruelled by injuries this series, more than was apparent initially. In both games injuries to Bobby V and Skelton’s fitness hampered the WBs, and Gleeson in Test 1, and Noah before, and JAS leading in. Picking TT would have been a huge risk after SR form, but yes, seems like it would have been worth taking in hindsight and many were suggesting before. We just don’t have the depth for that not to make a big impact. But Joe seems to have put his chips on Williams as long termer and is investing in him, like he did players in Ireland, when Williams is yet to deliver in this series (although the lineout has been solid when he’s on). Perhaps his time will come. JAS defence is perhaps the biggest issue as Nick you’ve pointed out now on multiple occasions. I just get flummoxed myself thinking about it, as any solution creates another problem, perhaps he just needs time and it just had to be this way….At the very least we need an A/B test and see what the experiment uncovers.

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