mens
United-rugby-championship
Leinster have confirmed it Bordeaux Begles forwards coach Noel McNamara will return to the province next season to replace head coach Leo Cullen, who announced in June that he will step down when his contract expires next summer.
It emerged at the weekend that 43-year-old McNamara, who spent five years at Leinster in several roles, including Leinster ‘A’ head coach and academy manager, before moving to South Africa 2021 to become the Sharks’ running backs and offense coach, he was the favorite for the job.
Leinster moved for McNamara, who moved to Bordeaux three years ago, where he helped engineer back-to-back Champions Cups and they were runners-up twice in Top 14 after failing to lure Felipe Contepomi away from his job in Argentina.
Cullen guided Leinster to six league titles and the Champions Cup in 2018, but his side have subsequently lost four finals in the last five years in the competition and five in total since taking the top spot in 2015.
McNamara admits it is an honor to be given the chance to take on one of the biggest coaching jobs in world rugby, but has vowed to fully focus on Bordeaux until next summer.
“I am delighted to be returning to Leinster Rugby as head coach in 2027. This is one of the most prestigious roles in world rugby and I am honored to be given the responsibility.
“I am very grateful to UBB and especially to Laurent Marti and Yannick Bru for supporting me to take advantage of this opportunity.
“We have a very exciting season ahead with UBB, and I am fully focused on that before I return to Leinster next summer.”
Shane Nolan, Leinster’s chief executive, said: “Noel has a long association with the club and emerged as our preferred candidate very early in the process. His transition into the role will be seamless and we look forward to welcoming him back here next July after this season has finished.”
IRFU director of performance David Humphreys said McNamara, who officiated Ireland to under 20 years old Six Nations Grand Slam in 2019, has a “deep understanding of Irish rugby”.
“Noel brings a wealth of coaching experience, strong leadership qualities and a proven track record of player development and coaching successful teams,” said Humphreys.
“I look forward to working with him to ensure Leinster’s continued success while supporting the development of players for the Ireland national team.”
