Former Irish international Mark McCall was today confirmed as the new Ireland under-21 coach and succeeds Michael Bradley who is now the Connacht boss.
McCall is the current assistant to Ulster coach Alan Solomons and will take on his new role in time for the upcoming under-21 season.
The 35-year-old, who was capped for Ireland 13 times, was forced into early retirement in 1999 after failing to recover from a neck injury. At the time McCall was captain of Ulster at the start of their successful European Cup campaign.
However, after the injury and relinquishing his captaincy to David Humphreys, McCall immediately opted for the coaching side of the game. He started out as coach of club side Ballynahinch in Co Down before Solomons introduced him to the Ulster set-up as a backs coach.
McCall will continue to work with Ulster, but if he is unable to do his role with the province justice in the coming season, the management may opt for another local coach to fill the void.
Elsewhere, Pat Murray, the ex-Shannon and Munster full back, has been reappointed Ireland under-19 coach. Ulster's former Ireland hooker Allan Clarke will be his assistant.