McNamara confirmed as Leinster head coach, replacing Cullen in 2027

Leinster have confirmed Noel McNamara as their next head coach, with the Bordeaux Bèglès attack coach set to return to the province in the summer of 2027 to replace Leo Cullen, who announced in June that he would step down when his contract expires.

McNamara, 43, spent five years at Leinster in various roles — including Leinster ‘A’ head coach and academy manager — before leaving for South Africa in 2021 to join the Sharks as backs and attack coach. He moved to Bordeaux three years ago and has since been part of the coaching staff that delivered back-to-back Champions Cup titles. Leinster had initially pursued Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi for the role before turning to McNamara as their preferred candidate.

Cullen’s tenure, which began in 2015, brought six league titles and the 2018 Champions Cup, but the province lost five European finals across his time in charge — four of them in the last five years — a record that ultimately defined the end of his era.

“I am delighted that I am returning to Leinster Rugby as head coach in 2027,” McNamara said. “This is one of the most prestigious roles in world rugby, and it is an honour to be given this responsibility. We have a very exciting season ahead with UBB, and I am fully focused on that before moving back to Leinster next summer.”

Leinster chief executive Shane Nolan said McNamara emerged as the club’s preferred candidate 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.”

IRFU performance director David Humphreys, noting that McNamara led Ireland to the Under-20s Six Nations Grand Slam in 2019, said the incoming coach has a “deep understanding of Irish rugby” and praised his “proven track record of developing players and coaching successful teams”.