Leinster has selected Bordeaux Bègles attack coach Noel McNamara to take over after Leo Cullen leaves at the end of the season. McNamara will finish the current campaign in France before returning to the Irish club next summer. He previously worked in Leinster’s academy and second team and coached at South Africa’s Sharks. Bordeaux agreed to end his contract, which ran until 2029, after the season.
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McNamara takes over after the season
Irish rugby union club Leinster has appointed Noel McNamara to succeed Leo Cullen after the current season. McNamara, now attack coach at the French club Bordeaux Bègles, will complete the campaign there before returning to Ireland next summer.[1], [2]
Bordeaux announced on 3 November that it had agreed to end his contract after the season, although the agreement had run until 2029. The 43-year-old coach said he remained focused on Bordeaux’s current campaign before moving. Cullen had announced his planned departure in June, having led Leinster since 2015.[1]
Former academy coach returns with overseas experience
McNamara previously worked for five years at Leinster, including as academy manager and head coach of its second team. He moved to the Sharks, a South African club, in 2021 as attack and backs coach. After working there alongside Yannick Bru, he joined Bordeaux in summer 2023. The French club credited his attacking work with contributing to consecutive Champions Cup titles.[1]
Player development features in the appointment
Leinster chief executive Shane Nolan said McNamara became the preferred candidate early in the recruitment process. David Humphreys, performance director at the Irish Rugby Football Union, connected the appointment with developing players and supporting Ireland’s national team. McNamara described the head-coaching position as one of the most prestigious opportunities in world rugby.[1]
