Ulster scrum-half Nathan Doak is more than happy to be known as “Neil’s son” but is equally determined to carve out his own life and legacy at the Kingspan Stadium.
Lest anyone forget, the 20-year-old, who has shone in white since bursting on the scene 12 months ago, is the son of former Ulster No9 and head coach Neil Doak.
With a well known dad who has trodden a similar path at Ulster, Doak is accustomed to having his father name checked at every staging post of his young career.
But the talented back, who starts against Scarlets in the URC this evening, laughed off suggestions he might be keen to plough his own furrow and stop being referred to as ‘Neil’s son’ in an Ulster shirt.
“Not really,” he said. “My dad kind of jokes about it sometimes, to be fair: ‘When are you going to stop being called your dad’s son?’ But it’s not something I would focus on.
“It’s a bit of banter between us and I know he looks at me as my own person and I suppose it’s something I want to do; to be looked at as my own person.
“I’ve always looked at me as Nathan Doak and I haven’t got to where I am because of my dad. I am who I am, I’ve worked hard and hopefully everyone else can see that.”
Doak, who made his debut against Munster in 2020, has made 11 of his 13 appearances this season, half a dozen of them starts, including Saturday’s European win over Clermont.
“If you’d told me at the start of the season I’d get this many minutes, I’d have bitten your hand off,” he said. “I know it came around due to an unfortunate injury to John (Cooney).
“As a young player, I just wanted to take my opportunity and I’ve learned so much so far but I’ve definitely got a lot more to give.”
On recently signing a new four year contract with the club, he said: “When Ulster got in contact about extending my deal, it was something I didn’t think too much about.
“I want to stay here, I want to make my name here and I want to win trophies here. Signing for four years filled me with great excitement and hopefully I can repay that.”
While Doak has learned a lot from fellow No9 Cooney and experienced out-half Billy Burns, South African No8 Duane Vermeulen has also made a big impression since arriving at the club in November.
“Duane has won the World Cup and done it all, but he actually brings a chilled environment and he makes you feel relaxed,” he said.
“I speak to him a lot and he has given me some pointers, more psychological things as a young player, but I’ve learned a lot from him and he gives us all a lot of confidence.”
While Doak has been part of memorable recent wins over Clermont, Northampton and Leinster, he pointed to his debut against Munster last January as the game he took the most 'learnings' from.
"I know it was only 14 minutes but I learned a lot in terms of my preparation for the game and it was all new to me," he said.
"I don't think I gave the best account of myself on my debut and that was something that stuck with me.
"But I'm still young, I still have so much to learn and I'm not going to neglect learning at this age. I'm definitely open to it and every time I go out there, I always try to take something from it."
- Friday night's game between Ulster and Scarlets at the Kingspan Stadium has a 7.35pm kick-off.
