Noel McNamara lined up to succeed Leo Cullen as Leinster head coach

Bordeaux Bègles backs coach Noel McNamara is tipped to succeed Leo Cullen as head coach when the latter steps down from Leinster at the end of the season. The appointment could be confirmed as early as this month with the agreement of both clubs. The official line from Leinster is that “the process has not been concluded”.

The 43-year-old Clare native agreed a three-year contract extension at Bordeaux earlier this year that would have kept him at the French club until the summer of 2029. McNamara is to return to a province he served with distinction as an age-grade coach, academy manager. He also took charge of the Leinster A team.