Noel McNamara Appointed Leinster Head Coach to Succeed Leo Cullen

Noel McNamara succeeds Leo Cullen at Leinster

Leinster Rugby have confirmed that Noel McNamara will take over as head coach when Leo Cullen steps down at the end of the 2026/27 season, as reported by rte.ie. Cullen leaves his role after 12 years in charge, having led the team to six league titles and the Champions Cup in 2018, followed by five subsequent final defeats in the competition including four in the past five years. McNamara leaves his role as attack coach at Union Bordeaux-Bègles, where he helped secure back-to-back European Champions Cup titles. The 43-year-old Clare native returns to the province following a five-year spell between 2016 and 2021, during which he served as academy manager and Leinster ‘A’ head coach. Before joining Bordeaux, his career included a stint in South Africa leading the Sharks to a fifth-place finish before falling to the Bulls, alongside spells coaching at North Harbour in New Zealand and linking up with his current boss Yannick Bru in Durban.

The Irish Times noted that while names such as former Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi, La Rochelle boss Ronan O’Gara, and New Zealand figures like Scott Robertson would have drawn broader public attention, McNamara’s deep familiarity with the domestic setup proved decisive. Planet Rugby reported that former Springbok coach and current Leinster senior coach Jacques Nienaber was also overlooked for promotion. Stuart Lancaster ruled himself out early by stating he was happy at Connacht, while Ronan O’Gara admitted he was disappointed not to receive a phone call from Leinster regarding the vacancy despite signing a contract extension in France. According to rte.ie, Leinster CEO Shane Nolan stated that McNamara emerged as the preferred candidate very early in the recruitment process.

BREAKING: Noel McNamara appointed as next Leinster head coach | OTB Breakfast react

McNamara’s path to the position includes coaching the Ireland Under-20s to a Six Nations Grand Slam in 2019, followed by a two-year tenure in Durban with the Sharks as attack and backs coach before moving to France. Since joining Bordeaux, his coaching has contributed to two consecutive Top 14 final appearances and European championship victories, including a 41-19 win over Leinster in Bilbao.

I am delighted that I am returning to Leinster Rugby as Head Coach in 2027, McNamara told rte.ie. This is one of the most prestigious roles in world rugby and it is an honour to be given this responsibility. He added: I am very grateful to UBB and in particular Laurent Marti and Yannick Bru for supporting me in availing of this opportunity.

Noel McNamara has been attack coach for Bordeaux-Bègles during their recent outstanding period of success. Photograph — Photo: The Irish Times

McNamara will finish the 2026/27 season with Bordeaux before officially stepping into the Leinster role on 1 July 2027. IRFU Performance Director David Humphreys pointed out that McNamara brings a strong background in developing players and a deep understanding of Irish rugby structures, noting via rte.ie that the appointment supports both provincial success and the talent pathway for the national team.

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