Irish rugby star McLaughlin in front row of coronavirus battle

Ireland rugby international Claire McLaughlin says all the study she did training to be a doctor has not prepared her for the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic.

The 28-year-old backrow forward is a junior doctor at the Ulster Hospital's Accident and Emergency Department.

She told the BBC on Friday that nevertheless all the medical staff were coming together to form an effective unit in tending to the sick.

"I could never have imagined being involved in something like this," she said. "It's not something you're really taught about going through university and medical school.

"But we're all in this together.

"Doctors, nurses and all the health care professionals.

"It's really showing that we all are coming together as a healthcare system."
"Obviously we are taking information on what's happening in China and Italy and seeing what way they have dealt with things and how the virus has impacted on them and their health care systems."
"There's even risk involved in that and changing the way we do our medical practice."