Ulster head coach Brian McLaughlin ran a very informative session on Monday evening on 'Continuity around the Breakdown', which focused on developing players' skills pre-contact.

This session built on his previous workshop in November, and paid particular attention to improving players' abilities, both pre and during contact, as well as the decision making of the ball carrier and support players.

Next came an hour of practical work involving a number of the Ulster Academy players where content was aimed at coaches who are accredited by the IRFU at either Level 1 or Level 2 and who are currently actively coaching with school or club first teams.

This was followed by a question and answer session, during which Brian answered a range of questions on any problems that coaches had in this area of the game.

Brian was able to draw on his wealth of knowledge of the club and schools game to provide some very useful advice.

A further three clinics will take place during February with Ulster Rugby's Neil Doak and Jeremy Davidson and Ulster Academy's Jonny Bell. More details are available here.

As places are limited, coaches are advised to book their places as early as possible.