Leinster name Leo Cullen successor as ‘preferred candidate’ edges Jacques Nienaber and others to top job
New Leinster boss Noel McNamara and, inset, senior coach Jacques Nienaber (INPHO/Morgan Treacy and Dan Sheridan)
Leinster have confirmed that Bordeaux-Begles assistant Noel McNamara will succeed Leo Cullen as their new head coach after the end of the current season.
McNamara, who has worked with the French club since 2023, emerged as Leinster’s preferred candidate very early in the process, leaving several higher-profile options high and dry.
Among them were Springboks Rugby World Cup winner Jacques Nienaber, who has been working at Leinster as their senior coach under Cullen since 2023/24.
Argentina boss Felipe Contepomi also fell out of the race due to his 2027 World Cup commitments, while ex-All Blacks boss Scott Robertson was said to have been another contender.
“His transition into the role will be seamless…”
Away from all that speculation regarding household rugby names, Leinster have instead chosen McNamara, whose only previous adult head coaching role was with the Irish province’s A team before he embarked on a steep learning curve elsewhere.
McNamara, who led Ireland to the U20 Six Nations Grand Slam in 2019, spent two years assisting the Sharks in Durban where he forged a relationship with Yannick Bru that led him to Bordeaux, the club that has since won back-to-back Champions Cup titles.
As attack coach, McNamara has fired up their potency and they are currently hunting a third successive European title and French league honours. He will continue that quest through to the end of this season before joining Leinster on July 1, 2027.
Leinster CEO Shane Nolan said: “We are delighted to welcome Noel McNamara as the new head coach in 2027. 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 here next July after this season reaches its conclusion.”
Leinster COO Guy Easterby added: “Along with a number of key stakeholders we set out clear criteria when we began this process to try to ensure that we secured a head coach that combined a strong understanding of Leinster and Irish rugby with a track record of success.
“I believe that Noel is the right man to take on this responsibility from Leo and to build on the incredible job that he has done over the past 11 years as we continue to strive for excellence in everything we do.
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“I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank UBB president Laurent Marti and head coach Yannick Bru for their understanding and professionalism in dealing with this matter.”
IRFU performance director David Humphreys said: “Noel brings a wealth of coaching experience, strong leadership qualities and a proven track record of developing players and coaching successful teams.
“He has a deep understanding of Irish rugby and I’m looking forward to working with him to ensure Leinster’s continued success, while supporting the development of players for the Ireland national team.”
McNamara described the Leinster head coach role as one of the most prestigious in world rugby. “I’m delighted that I am returning to Leinster as head coach in 2027,” he said. “This is one of the most prestigious roles in world rugby and it is an honour to be given this responsibility.
“I’m very grateful to UBB and in particular Laurent Marti and Yannick Bru for supporting me in availing of this opportunity. We have a very exciting season ahead with UBB and I am fully focused on that before moving back to Leinster next summer.”
