McNaughton, 56, is the first addition to the new Ireland management team following the appointment of Declan Kidney as head coach.

The pair worked together at Leinster, where McNaughton was appointed team manager in 2004, and will officially link up again in the build-up to next season.

Neither McNaughton nor Kidney will be involved in the preparation of the Ireland team for the forthcoming game against the Barbarians or the summer tour to New Zealand and Australia.

McNaughton won 15 caps for Ireland between 1978 and 1981 and worked in the financial sector before joining Leinster in 2004.

He currently acts as a consultant and holds a number of non-executive directorships in investment companies.

McNaughton said: "There is no greater honour than working with your own national team and while certainly there are challenges ahead for all of us, there is also a certain amount of anticipation about the possibilities that exist for Irish rugby and this squad."