Humphreys accepts new Ulster role

Ulster icon David Humphreys will be in charge of rugby affairs at Ravenhill.

Former Ireland star David Humphreys is the new Ulster Rugby Operations supremo within a new management structure at Ravenhill.

Humphreys moves from the business end of matters to take control of rugby affairs and reporting to Chief executive Officer Michael Reid.

Brian McLaughlin was confirmed as Head coach along with assistants Jeremy Davidson, Neil Doak and Peter Sharp.

McLaughlin is expected to start working with the squad early next month.

In the meantime, it will be Humphreys who will be the driving force behind Ulster Rugby.

Humphreys, who led Ulster to European Cup success in 1999, will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of team management and preparation of the Ulster senior team, the Ravens (Ulster A) and the under-20 squad.

The Ulster rugby icon will work closely with the coaching staff at the Newforge training facility in Belfast.

The 38-year-old, who made 72 appearances for Ireland, will also oversee the running of the High Performance/Academy structure at the Jordanstown university campus which is seen as a crucial aspect of Ulster's future.

Humphreys, who made 162 appearances for Ulster before retiring in 2007/8 season, is known for his shrewd rugby brain and tactical nous.

His main objective is not only to help McLaughlin form a squad that will contest for the Magners League title, and qualification for the knock-out stages of the Heineken Cup, but to do it with home-grown players along with a small number of high profile overseas signings.

Meanwhile, the appointment of the 50-year-old former Ireland skills coach was finally agreed by the IRFU last week.

Brian McLaughlin has agreed a two-year deal to be Ulster Head coach

McLaughlin has signed on for two years having agreed a career break from his job as Head of PE at RBAI.

It is a dream job for the Newtownards-born McLaughlin who always wanted to coach his home province.

"I'm thrilled and delighted to be chosen to coach my home province," said McLaughlin.

"It was always a major goal of mine to coach Ulster, and now that has happened, I'm eagerly looking forward to start working with the squad."

McLaughlin and Humphreys now face a massive task to brighten up Ulster's star which had been on the wane over a couple of seasons.

"Yes, obviously it is a huge challenge," said McLaughlin who was poised to take over the Ulster U20 squad in an emergency capacity following the sudden withdrawal of the initial choice.

"My main task is to instil confidence and consistency into the squad and build them into a unit that will be challenging for honours. Initially, it will be a case of going back to basics.

"Goals include making the top six in the Magners League and acquitting ourselves better in Europe.

"It's been 10 years since Ulster qualified for the knock-out stages of the Heineken Cup, and while we are in quite a tough pool, we have to set our targets.

"There is loads of potential in Ulster at present. I know most of the squad and what they are capable of producing. My aim is to get them to move up a gear."

My main task is to instil confidence and consistency into the squad and build them into a unit that will be challenging for honours Brian McLaughlin

His three years working with Eddie O'Sullivan's Ireland squad was a success in relative terms.

An excellent technical coach, McLaughlin is a stickler for the basics, but is not afraid to promote flair and a little ingenuity.

McLaughlin's rugby life started with his home town club Ards where he was a back-row forward alongside Ireland stars Philip Matthews and Nigel Carr before injury interrupted his career.

He had success at Ulster and Ireland age group level winning the Five Nations Grand Slam alongside O'Sullivan in the early 1990s.

His other coaching duties included spells at club sides Malone and Instonians while behind the scenes he quietly guided Division Two outfit Ballynahinch to a clean sweep of titles last season.

He is most recognised, however, for his work at schools level where he has coach since 1981. He coached Wallace to a couple of cup finals and then guided RBAI to seven cup finals in 12 years, winning five of them.