The 42-year-old who represented his country three times during his playing career has been named as the new performance pathway manager for Great Britain’s skeleton team.

His job will be based around developing the talent programme which helps train potential future racers within the national set-up.

The programme helped reigning Olympic women’s skeleton champion Lizzy Yarnold progress through the ranks on her way to victory at Sochi 2014.

Since retiring from playing, McCarthy has led the academies of English Premiership sides Leicester Tigers and Gloucester.

"I’m really excited about getting involved with GB skeleton," McCarthy said.

McCarthy added: "When you look at their journey from Olympic inception to where it is now, especially without an ice track in the UK, it’s mind boggling.

"This is a consistent medal winning programme.

"It’s remarkable the work that’s been done and, of course, there is going to be pressure within the sport to continue that success.

“My role is not to come and change that, it’s to try and improve it and challenge it so that we can consistently produce athletes for the performance end of the system."

McCarthy’s career saw him play as either a hooker or prop for clubs including Bath, Gloucester and Bristol.

He was also part of England’s 1999 Rugby World Cup squad which was knocked-out in the quarter-finals by South Africa.