Claire McLaughlin

Claire Small (née McLaughlin) (born 21 November 1991) is a women's rugby union player from Bushmills, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, and a qualified doctor. She plays for Ulster Rugby and the Ireland women's national rugby union team as a back row, having previously played in the centre.

Early life and education Small (née McLaughlin) was born on 21 November 1991 and is the daughter of John McLaughlin, a beef farmer, and his wife Pamela, a teacher. She has two brothers. Claire has been at the forefront of the NHS battle against COVID19 working the Ulster Hospital A&E Department throughout the pandemic.

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.

Claire is currently recovering and rehabbing from a serious ankle injury.

Personal life McLaughlin is a Christian. McLaughlin is also a trained pianist, having played the keyboard and organ in church. Mclaughlin married in the summer of 2021 to Jonny Small and goes by the name of Claire Small (née McLaughlin).