In my view, Ireland's greatest ever LHP, who also was capped as a THP. He was considered the architect of the 1971 Lions forwards demolition of the NZ pack. I heard first Coach Carwyn James and subsequently Captain John Dawes attribute this accolade to two different Lions 1971 reunions.
Many Rugby books of the era and some of the history of Irish rugby said that his advent as Irish Captain changed the manner of preparation of Irish teams forever and brought forward the appointment of a Coach to Irish teams in the late 1960's. Ronnie Dawson, the first Irish coach was on the same page as McLoughlin and in concert with Tom Kiernan, they contributed hugely to the development of the national team and Lions of the 60's and '70's.
Ray McLoughlin was also a very successful businessman on an international scale, even from an early age. He and Tony O'Reilly were considered as international business figures and rugby players. However, Ray played right into his 30's and offered his scrum and forwards coaching expertise to many contemporaries who had graduated to Club coaches during the 1970's.
He was quite literally a legend in the 1970's and led a very busy life and fitted in rugby in Blackrock, Gosforth, UCD and (I think) Durham or Newcastle as well as Connacht and Ireland. I believe he also played alongside his brother Felimh for Connacht and Ireland, in the front-row.
He will always be considered among the all-time greats by players of the 60's & 70's. He deserves that accolade.
May he rest in peace and may his family have consolation in the respect in which he was held.
