Ulster 'devastated' to miss URC play-offs
Nathan Doak says Ulster's players are "devastated" after missing out on the United Rugby Championship play-offs and a place in next season's Investec Champions Cup.
Ulster's hopes of securing a URC play-off spot were ended by last Friday's defeat by Munster at Thomond Park as the Irish province also dropped to the second-tier Challenge Cup competition in Europe for next season.
"There is a lot of hurt in the camp but we know we've got to turn up this week," said scrum-half Doak, 23, who was speaking after the team resumed training for Friday's away contest against a 10th-placed Edinburgh side who need a victory to maintain their play-off hopes.
Doak said that skipper Iain Henderson urged the squad on Tuesday to deliver a performance for the group of Ulster players departing the club at the end of this campaign.
Ireland internationals John Cooney and Kieran Treadwell are among those exiting the Irish province along with Alan O'Connor, Andy Warwick, Matty Rea, Reuben Crothers, Corrie Barrett and Michael McDonald.
"Hendy actually asked us all what it meant to play this week," added Doak.
"There are guys that are leaving who mean an awful lot to us so there is a lot for us to play in terms of personal pride. There is definitely full focus on trying to go over there and win and make it a last special appearance for the boys that are leaving."
Doak added that his fellow scrum-half Cooney had spoken to him at Tuesday's training session.
"He came up to me today and said 'this is our final week together' which is probably the first time it hit me that we'll not be having him running round the place [any more].
"He's a great friend and he'll be sorely missed not just by me but by everyone round here."
Despite a hugely disappointing campaign, Doak appealed to Ulster's fans to continue to back the team.
"We'll be back. I've no doubt about that," he said.
"We'll work as hard as we can to make sure that next year we're not in this position and that we get some play-off rugby again."
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