Leinster's Cullen voted URC coach of the season

Leinster's Leo Cullen has won the United Rugby Championship's coach of the season award.

The Leinster boss was voted in by his fellow coaches, despite the province failing to reach the final for the first time since 2017, following Friday night's defeat to the Bulls in the semi-final.

However, the defending champions had been the runaway league leaders in the regular season, finishing top of the table with more points and tries scored than anybody else.

"I'd like to thank the URC for the award which I will accept on behalf of the wider coaching group and the 60 players that pulled on a Leinster rugby jersey this year," Cullen said.

"The season most certainly did not end the way we would have liked but there were many highlights and positives over the year. I’d like to wish the DHL Stormers and the Vodacom Bulls the very best of luck in this weekend’s final.

"Having played both teams recently, it will be an intriguing final and a great way to bring the curtain down on the first season of the United Rugby Championship.

"The introduction of the four South African clubs has raised the standards and we’ll all have to raise our game to compete with them next season.

"We would dearly love to be there and will watch with keen interest and we look forward to challenging for the title again next season."