Connacht Appoint New Head Of Strength & Conditioning

With plans underway already for next season, Tom McLaughlin has been appointed as the new head of strength and conditioning at Connacht Rugby.

Tom McLaughlin, who hails from Kent, will join the province’s backroom team having spent the last six years working at Bristol Rugby.

The 28-year-old started his internship with the Academy in Bristol Rugby while studying for his Sports and Exercise degree at the University of Wales in Cardiff in 2005.

His dedication and aptitude saw him quickly rise up through the ranks and in November 2008 he was appointed as the head of strength and conditioning for the first team under head coach and England legend Richard Hill.

No stranger to Connacht players, Tom, whose father is from Cork, worked with former Connacht props Ray Hogan and Peter Bracken during his time at Bristol.

He will take up his new role following the departure of Kevin Cradock and Greg Muller from the Connacht fitness department.

Speaking about the appointment, McLaughlin said: “I’m really pleased to be joining the Connacht set-up. I’ve benefited a lot from working with Bristol Rugby for the last six years and now I’m looking forward to the new challenge and working with a new squad.”

Connacht’s CEO Gerry Kelly was equally happy with McLaughlin’s selection, adding: “Tom has really shown his calibre working his way up to the top at Bristol and we are very pleased to have secured his services here in Connacht.

“I’m sure he will bring a new dimension to the physical development of our players ahead of the new season.”