Ian Madigan cannot see Ronan O'Gara taking over at Leinster

Former Ireland and Leinster out-half Ian Madigan cannot see Ronan O'Gara taking over from Leo Cullen at Leinster.

Cullen will depart from Leinster at the end of the 2027 season, having been appointed as head coach in 2015.

Several names have been linked with the role, including O'Gara, currently managing French side La Rochelle.

The former Munster and Ireland player has won two Champions Cups with La Rochelle, with both finals against Leinster in 2022 and 2023.

While many fans would be happy to see O'Gara back in Ireland, Madigan is not confident of him making the switch.

“I personally don’t see that happening,” Madigan said.

“I think he’s a fantastic coach, but I just think from knowing ROG and how much he loves that rivalry and competitiveness, I’m not too sure if he’d come back and be wearing the blue of Leinster.

“It’s hard to start listing off names because you’re always going to leave someone out, but the interesting ones are a possibility, but it’s difficult to call a year out.

Madigan believes Leinster may look closer to home at coaches already in Irish rugby for the role.

“Scott Robertson, it’s hard to know how much coaching he would do if he came in. Would he come in as the director of rugby and have the coaches reporting up to him? With the likes of Jacques (Nienaber), could he step up into that director of rugby role, or, from his standpoint, would he rather continue coaching, or would he be more of a coach that heads up the team?

“It’s hard to see what Leinster will do from that kind of organisational standpoint.

“Could one of the coaches involved with the Irish set-up look at the Leinster job and see it as an opportunity? Obviously the likes of Easterby have headed up teams, and Johnny Sexton is in there