In March last year at the RDS in Dublin, McLaughlin started at full-back and scored a try as Gonzaga College lifted the Leinster Schools Senior Cup silverware for the first time.
In front of a crowd of nearly 10,000, his school defeated Blackrock College 35-31 and, in one match report, McLaughlin was described as a “virtuoso talent”.
“It was an amazing day for us as a school team and when we saw what it meant to older people who are connected to Gonzaga, it really hit us just what a big achievement it was,” McLaughlin said.
“That sort of experience definitely made me want to try and kick on with my rugby going forward and I am just loving being part of the Ireland U20 set up at the minute.
“There are a lot of similarities to being involved with the U18s and 19s, you are in camp and you are around the same lads a lot, so you get into routines that get you ready for big matches.
“But the U20s is a huge step up, everything has gone up a gear in terms of the opposition we are coming up against and physicality. You have seen that in the games that we have played already. We have grown, but the other teams we have playing have grown to and those are exciting challenges.
“The lads are a great bunch, there is a good atmosphere in camp and we are enjoying spending time together.”
Ireland have been the team to beat in U20 Six Nations rugby of late having won the title - and Grand Slams - in both 2022 and 2023.
After three rounds of the 2024 competition, they are sitting second in the standings with 14 points after wins over France, Italy and Wales.
The win in ] over Italy in Round 2 was a tricky one, bouncing back from 17-15 down at half-time to win 23-22 at Virgin Media Park in Cork.
“I came off in the 65th minute and I was sitting on the sidelines biting my nails,” McLaughlin admitted.
“The last 15 minutes were very nerve-wracking, even when Sean [Edogbo] went over for the try [in the 73rdminute], Italy still had chances after that, but the boys hung on and I think that showed the character in the group.
“That is the character we have to keep showing.”
The next game for Ireland is on Friday evening at Bath’s Rec Ground against England.
England have 15 points from a possible 15 thanks to bonus point wins over Italy, Wales and Scotland and top the standings.
The fact that it is the top two in the table facing off is enough to make it a mouth-watering prospect, but last year’s matches between the two sides also make it interesting.
Ireland got the better of England 36-24 in Cork last March to complete their U20 Six Nations Grand Slam.
The two old rivals then met three months later in the June in Paarl, South Africa, in the pool stage of the Junior World Trophy.
That game ended in an amazing 34-34 draw and it has left supporters keen for more.
McLaughlin is set to start on the left wing for the fourth game in a row and the 19-year-old Lansdowne FC/Leinster player added: “I enjoy playing on the wing and I also like playing 15.
There are different skillsets needed for both positions and also similarities and I just work hard on being an all-rounded player and will play where the team needs me.
“When you are on the wing you have to be patient at times, wait for your opportunity and when the ball comes to you and that opportunity comes your way you just have to try and take it.”
The England-Ireland match on Friday kicks-off at 7.15pm.
