Mum's the word for Ulcoq as he explains 'craziest' Saints coincidence
There were tears of joy for Charlie Ulcoq's mum when she received the phone call from her son.
In what he describes as 'the craziest coincidence', Ulcoq, a back row forward who grew up in Australia, was offered a chance to fly across the globe in a bid to impress at Saints.
For his mum, there was no better scenario, as Ulcoq explains...
"My mum actually lives in Northamptonshire, which is quite a nice coincidence," the 20-year-old said.
"I called my mum up and said I had an opportunity at Saints and she was literally ecstatic. How has this happened? She was crying the whole night.
"It is the craziest coincidence that she only lives 30 minutes away."
Ulcoq's mum was at the Gallagher PREM final in 2024, supporting Saints as they saw off Bath to claim the title.
Little did she know at that time that her son would be winging his way over to link up with the black, green and gold Academy the following February.
"I grew up in Sydney Australia and I went through the school ranks," said Ulcoq, outlining his rugby journey.
"I played a bit of Academy for the Waratahs. I was second best there most times, then I got an agent from Wassaman and they said they’d give me an opportunity to go and have a trial with Saints.
"I thought about it and thought I’d give it a go. It was a big decision but when I got here, honestly, it was the best decision I’ve ever made.
"The people, the quality of players, and how kind and welcoming they are as a group, especially the coaches as well, it just made me so much better as a player, and as a person.
"I am just really grateful to be here."
Considering he admits he was 'second best' in the Waratahs Academy, did Ulcoq have any doubts about being able to make it at Saints?
"It happened so fast, I didn’t really get to weigh in the doubts," he said. "There obviously were a couple.
"It was a training trial and my dad did a leaving party. And I was like ‘if it doesn't work out, I am going to come home’.
"It ended up working out, but of course there were doubts.
"It was nice to get through that phase a couple of years ago."
Ulcoq certainly hasn't had it easy since joining Saints as he had a big setback to deal with early on, breaking his ankle while on loan at partner club Bedford Blues.
"My first year, I was quite a young lad, a bit smaller than I am now, it was more getting used to their system and learning to be a part of it," he said.
"That second season I was playing for Bedford on loan and I broke my ankle. That was my first major injury, so just learning how to handle a big surgery like that was a learning curve, but I learned a lot from it and rolling in off that injury, I got my PREM Cup debut, then I ended up getting my PREM debut after that."
Ulcoq's return to fitness was rewarded with a Saints debut in a PREM Rugby Cup win against Leicester Tigers in January this year.
And to make it even more special, his dad completed the 20,000 mile round journey to watch from the stands.
"Getting the win against Leicester, my dad flew over from Australia just for the game, that was a really special moment for me," Ulcoq said.
"Playing here is pretty special. I haven't experienced anything like it, even watching rugby when I was back home.
"Just seeing how involved this crowd is, and how much culture and history is behind it, is something I have never experienced before.
"So it is pretty special and I am grateful to be a part of it."
Ulcoq made a big impression when called upon last season, collecting five appearances, four of which were starts.
He has continued to take inspiration from Saints' stellar back row players, with Josh Kemeny a particular role model for fellow Australian Ulcoq.
"It's about the way he pronounces himself and how incredible he is as a player," Ulcoq said.
"The way he helps me, just outside of rugby, he is really supportive.
"He is someone I like to learn from.
"The likes of (Henry) Pollock, Tom Pearson, Kemeny in our back row is world class.
"I want to see Josh in the Australia shirt soon."
Ulcoq will start in the seven shirt on Friday night as he gets to face Tigers again at the Gardens.
"This week in particular is a pretty exciting week," he said. "It is a derby game against Leicester Tigers, it is a nice place to be, it’s a good group of lads.
"Last season, a home game, it was an exciting fixture and I get to relive those memories as well.
"Leicester will be a physical game, as it always is.
"I am just really excited to be a part of it."