Seán O'Brien replaces Leamy on Leinster coaching team

Leinster have confirmed the return of Seán O'Brien to the province, with the former Ireland international replacing Munster-bound Denis Leamy as Leo Cullen's new contact skills coach.

The 35-year-old moves straight from playing into coaching, having recently retired after three seasons at London Irish.

He will join the province's senior coaching team from next season, filling the role vacated by Leamy, whose move to Munster was confirmed earlier today.

"I always said that you'd never know what the future holds and I’ve taken my time to work out what’s next for me. While I have loved my time with London Irish and living in London, the time is right to move back home and this is a brilliant opportunity now to get back and to get back to work with Leinster Rugby," he said.

"I’d like to thank Leo for the opportunity and it’s an exciting one. Building on the great work of Hugh Hogan and most recently Denis Leamy, I can’t wait to get stuck in.

"Working with players that I already know but there is also some real talent coming through and to be having my first coaching opportunity back home at Leinster, is pretty special. They’ve got a busy week ahead of them with Glasgow to come on Saturday and I’ll be a very keen supporter watching them to the end of the season."

In O'Brien’s time at Leinster he was part of the PRO12/14 winning squads in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2018 and 2019, while he has four Heineken Champions Cup medals, as well as a Challenge Cup medal from 2013.

The 54-cap Ireland international was also named European Player of the Year in 2011, and toured with the British and Irish Lions in 2013 and 2017.

"It is great to be able to welcome Seán back home to Leinster," said head coach Leo Cullen.

"On the rugby pitch, Seán at his best