Statement issued by Brian McLaughlin, Head Coach Ulster Rugby

Ulster Rugby today confirmed that the club will appoint a new Head Coach for the 2012-13 season, with Brian McLaughlin moving to a senior coaching position within the Ulster Academy, on a permanent contract.

Ulster have named a 28 man provisional squad ahead of the visit of the Dragons to Ravenhill on Friday night (kick off 7.05pm).

Ospreys wing Tommy Bowe will concentrate purely on Ireland's Six Nations campaign and won't decide on his club future until the competition has finished, according to his representatives.

The Men from Gwent won 22-9 when the two sides met at Rodney Parade in round five but have not achieved a season's double over the Ulstermen since 2008/09, whilst the Dragons' only win in Ireland since 2004 was 16-14 over Ulster at Ravenhill on 19 September 2008.

Winger Andrew Trimble has sung the praises of Brian McLaughlin amid reports the coach is set to leave Ulster at the end of the RaboDirect PRO12 season.

Ulster legend Andy Ward believes the club have laid a down statement that they expect better after hinting that current head coach Brian McLaughlin might not have his contract renewed at the end of the RaboDirect PRO12 season.

A statement from Ulster Rugby:

Stephen Ferris insists that a Heineken Cup crunch match between Ulster and Munster is a long way from the players' minds as troops from either side join together for Ireland's Six Nations campaign.

Aviva Stadium officials have brushed off concerns that an all-Ireland RaboDirect PRO12 final may have to be staged elsewhere, after the announcement of a Republic of Ireland football friendly against Bosnia & Herzegovina on May 26.