Leinster Rugby has confirmed that Noel McNamara will take over as head coach from Leo Cullen at the end of the current season. Cullen, who led the province for 12 years, announced his departure in June after a highly successful tenure. McNamara, currently attack coach at Bordeaux Bègles, brings extensive experience, including previous roles at Leinster and a stint with the Sharks in South Africa.
Since joining Bordeaux in 2023, he has guided the French side to consecutive Champions Cup titles and two Top 14 runner-up finishes. Leinster were defeated 41-19 by Bordeaux in the recent Investec Champions Cup final in Bilbao, where McNamara’s attacking system proved decisive. The 43-year-old also coached Ireland to an Under-20s Six Nations Grand Slam in 2019.
Leinster chief executive Shane Nolan praised McNamara’s deep connection with the club, calling him the preferred candidate early in the search. IRFU performance director David Humphreys highlighted his leadership and player development track record. Cullen’s era included six league titles and the 2018 Champions Cup, though Leinster lost five subsequent European finals.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing