New coaches for Leinster

Editor

Leinster have confirmed two further appointments to the senior coaching staff for the 2015/16 season, as John Fogarty and Kurt McQuilkin sign.

Fogarty has been promoted from Elite Player Development Officer to the role of Provincial Scrum Coach after the departure of Marco Caputo, while former Leinster captain and Defence Coach McQuilkin will re-join the province on a short-term contract once again as Defence Coach.

Confirming their arrival Leinster CEO, Mick Dawson, outlined the reasoning for the appointments two weeks ahead of the start of pre-season training.

"Top of the list was a need to put in place the resources to support Leo in his role as Head Coach and indeed Dan Tobin as Head of Fitness for the pre-season programme that they have planned. With Marco Caputo no longer here with us at Leinster and Richie Murphy being with Ireland as they prepare for the Rugby World Cup, there was always going to be a need to recruit and to recruit well ahead of the season," he said.

"We believe that we have done that and in John and Kurt we have two coaches who understand what it takes to be a Leinster player and a successful one at that. They have also impressive coaching CVs and are very well respected within Leinster.

"Together with Leo and with Girvan Dempsey, who will be in place as Backs Coach, we now have a senior coaching team in place that will add value to the Leinster Rugby environment, that know the current group of players and indeed the next crop of players coming through and that can hopefully deliver performances for the start of the new season."

Another appointment confirmed by Leinster was that of Shaun Berne as Elite Player Development Officer. Berne, who played 23 times for Leinster from 2009-2011, will replace Wayne Mitchell who is moving to the United Kingdom.