Ulster Rugby: New 3G pitch should suit our attacking young backs - Nathan Doak

Nathan Doak congratulates Jacob Stockdale after wing scored one of his two tries against Zebre

Ulster half-back Nathan Doak says the province's new 3G pitch at Kingspan Stadium should allow the team to play an exciting attacking brand of rugby.

Ulster's maiden competitive outing on the new artificial surface will be against the Bulls on Sunday in their first home game of the new URC season.

"It's definitely a lot quicker and definitely defending is a bit harder too," explained Doak.

"That will probably suit us with our backs and being a young team," he said.

Doak added: "We've got guys that can beat defenders and excite the fans on the 3G. Hopefully we'll see that at the weekend."

The Ulster number nine revealed that the "players did not know what to expect" when they ventured onto the new surface for the first time and that "everyone was really excited".

"I've been on a couple [of artificial pitches] but I think to be honest that's the best one I've been on," he enthused.

"I don't think it changes too much. I just think the opportunities we'll get, we will hopefully be able to exploit them a bit more."

'We've worked a lot on our attack'

Ulster laboured to a narrow 40-36 opening day win over Zebre in Parma on Saturday, both sides scoring six tries in an open, entertaining game.

"Our defence was probably not where we want it to be but on the positive side our attack was pretty good," reflected Doak of the Italian try-fest.

"We've worked a lot on our attack this year and tried to push that on so that was really pleasing as a half-back and an attack driver.

"Hopefully we can put the two of them together this week [defence and attack against the Bulls] and we can see a bit more of a complete performance, improve on last week individually and as a team.

"They've got a big pack but they've also got fast backs so hopefully it will be a good game and we can get the upper hand on them."