Ireland hopeful rejects PREM Rugby advances while Flying Fijian extends stay with French giants
Ulster scrum-half Nathan Doak and Bordeaux-Begles and Fiji flyer Salesi Rayasi (inset).
Ulster Rugby have confirmed that scrum-half Nathan Doak has committed his future with the United Rugby Championship (URC) outfit after signing a new two-year contract extension until the summer of 2028.
Doak made his Ulster debut back in January 2021 against Munster in Belfast and has become a key member of his province’s senior squad in recent years.
He was believed to be a target for PREM Rugby outfit Sale Sharks but has put pen to paper on his new Ulster contract as he closes in on a century of appearances for the province.
The 24-year-old is enjoying a strong 2025/26 URC season and is currently leading the competition for successful conversions (19) and occupies second position for kicking metres made.
Ulster are statistically one of the most potent attacking teams in the URC this season and Doak’s kicking game, playmaking abilities and game management are all key attributes to his side’s fine start to the season, which sees them occupying fifth position in the standings.
Part of Ireland’s squad for Autumn Nations Series
Doak’s excellent performances for Ulster in recent months earned him a call-up to Ireland’s senior squad for their recent Autumn Nations Series campaign and he has already won two Ireland ‘A’ caps in matches against England and Spain.
A product of the Ulster Academy, the Ireland hopeful also represented his country at U18, U19 and U20 levels and he was also a member of the Emerging Ireland squad which toured South Africa in 2022.
The contract extension sees him continuing his lifelong connection with Ulster Rugby, after growing up hoping to follow in the footsteps of his father, Neil Doak, who also represented the province’s senior men’s team as a scrum-half between 1995 and 2005.
The younger Doak is delighted to continue with his association at Ulster Rugby.
“I’m excited to have re-signed with Ulster for the next two years. I understand the responsibility and significance of wearing this shirt, it means everything to me,” he said.
“From my discussions with Rory (Best), he made it clear to me the direction in which he sees Ulster going and that is something I wanted to be a part of and believe we can reach.
“I want to help the team keep moving forward while also improving my own game, and I feel Ulster is the best place for me to do that.”
Ulster Rugby’s general manager, Rory Best, said: “Securing Nathan’s future is a key part of our squad planning for the upcoming seasons.
“It’s clear that Nathan’s performances this season have been rightly praised, and we are aware of interest from other top clubs in signing him.
“Nathan has a lot of experience for someone who has just turned 24 years of age, and I know that Richie (Murphy) and the coaching staff have been impressed by his maturity and development.
“We are confident that his best years are ahead of him and if he keeps playing in the same vein of form, he will be pushing for national selection in the near future.”
England and Leicester Tigers legend parts ways with PREM Rugby outfit after 18 years
Salesi Rayasi signs Bordeaux-Begles contract extension
Meanwhile, Bordeaux-Begles have bolstered their backline stocks after Flying Fijians speedster Salesi Rayasi signed a contract extension with the Top 14 club until 2028.
Rayasi initially shone for Auckland in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship (NPC) before representing the Hurricanes and Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. before heading to France to join Vannes in 2024.
He then headed to France in 2024 to join Vannes, but after the club’s relegation to the PROD2 at the end of last season, the 29-year-old joined Bordeaux, where he has been in excellent form, scoring six tries in eleven matches.
Rayasi made a try-scoring Test debut for Fiji in a narrow 21-18 defeat to Australia in Newcastle earlier this year, and according to a RugbyRama report, Bayonne and Stade Francais were also interested in signing him before he opted to extend his stint at Bordeaux.
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