Noel McNamara will succeed Leo Cullen as Leinster head coach next season, the Irish province has announced. Cullen said in June that he would leave at the end of the current campaign, concluding a 12-year spell in which he led the team to six league titles and the 2018 Champions Cup.
McNamara, 43, is currently attack coach at Bordeaux Begles. The French club beat Leinster 41-19 in last season’s Champions Cup final, and have won the competition in consecutive seasons since his move there in 2023. Bordeaux have also finished as Top 14 runners-up twice during that period.
The appointment brings McNamara back to Leinster, where he spent five years in several positions, including Leinster ‘A’ head coach and academy manager. He joined the Sharks in South Africa as attack and backs coach in 2021 before moving to Bordeaux. He also coached Ireland to an Under-20s Six Nations Grand Slam in 2019.
McNamara described the Leinster position as “one of the most prestigious roles in world rugby” and said he was honoured to take it on. He added that he would remain focused on the season with Bordeaux before returning to Leinster next summer.
Leinster chief executive Shane Nolan said McNamara had a long association with the club and had emerged as the preferred candidate early in the process. IRFU performance director David Humphreys cited McNamara’s understanding of Irish rugby, coaching experience and record of developing players and successful teams.
Cullen’s side have lost five Champions Cup finals since their 2018 win, including four in the past five years.
Sources: BBC Sport.