McLaughlin joins Ireland set-up

McLaughlin has made specialist skills coach with national squad

RBAI Schools' Cup winning coach Brian McLaughlin is to take up a specialist skills position with the Ireland squad.

He will move to the full-time post in September and will be involved with the international squad until April 2008.

McLaughlin plans to take a sabbatical from his post as a PE teacher at the Belfast school and step down as coach to Division Two side Ballynahinch.

"I am really chuffed be given this opportunity," said McLaughlin. "It is something I always wanted to do."

McLaughlin has been working on continuity with the national squad for the last two seasons on the invitation of Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan.

"Brian is an excellent technician," said O'Sullivan. "The players have a good rapport with him and they're very happy with him."

O'Sullivan and McLaughlin worked together with the Ireland under-21 side back in the Nineties when they guided the side to their first Grand Slam including defeating Clive Woodward's young England side.

"I really enjoy working with the top players and I'm very excited about my new role," said McLaughlin, has taken RBAI to six Schools' Cup finals in the last 10 years and winning the title five times.

"The school have been excellent in allowing me to take a sabbatical. I might drop in to see how things are going and try a few things out on the players."

Comber-based McLaughlin played in the Ards back-row alongside internationals Phil Matthews and Nigel Carr back in the Eighties until injury brought a premature halt to his career.