Claire McLaughlin is a women's rugby union player from Bushmills, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, and a qualified physician. She plays for Ulster Rugby and the Ireland women's national rugby union team as a centre.
Video Claire McLaughlin
Early life and education
McLaughlin is the daughter of John McLaughlin, a beef farmer, and his wife Pamela, a teacher. She has two brothers. She grew up on a farm. She was educated at Coleraine High School in Coleraine, County Londonderry. After this she studied medicine at Queen's University, Belfast.
Following graduation, she spent her foundation year as a junior doctor at Mater Infirmorum Hospital, Belfast. At the hospital, her work colleagues gave her the nickname of "McSwaplin", since she often swapped shifts at the hospital to accommodate her rugby schedule.
Maps Claire McLaughlin
Rugby career
McLaughlin's introduction to rugby was through playing tag rugby at school, and she later joined Ballymoney RFC. After moving to Belfast, McLaughlin started playing for Cooke WRFC before changing to Queen's University RFC. She made her debut for Ulster aged 18 while still at university. She made her debut for the Ireland women's national rugby union team in 2015. She was selected for Ireland's 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup squad as one of only two Ulster players selected. McLaughlin was named as a substitute for Ireland's opening match against the Australia women's national rugby union team at the UCD Bowl in Dublin, Republic of Ireland. She was dropped for Ireland's final game in the seventh-place playoff against Wales held at Ulster's Kingspan Stadium in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Personal life
McLaughlin is a Christian. While playing rugby, she wears wrist tape with "AO1" on it to give thanks to God for her career. McLaughlin is also a trained pianist, having played keyboard in church.
References
Source of article : Wikipedia
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