United Rugby Championship: Denis Leamy to return to Munster as defence coach

Munster and the Irish Rugby Football Union have confirmed the appointment of Denis Leamy as the United Rugby Championship outfit’s new defence coach.

His appointment means new head coach Graham Rowntree’s backroom staff will be further bolstered after Mike Prendergast and Andi Kyriacou were confirmed last month as the province’s incoming attack and forwards coaches respectively.

Leamy is currently working as Leinster‘s contact skills coach and also served as the Ireland U20 team’s assistant coach during their 2021 Six Nations campaign.

The 40-year-old had previously been an elite player development officer at Leinster since October 2019.

Before  joining Leinster, Leamy played for Munster until he was forced to retire in 2012 at the age of 30 due to a hip injury.

He made 144 appearances for Munster after making his provincial debut in September 2001 and played in both their 2006 and 2008 Heineken Cup final victories.

Leamy was also capped 57 times by Ireland, played in two World Cups, was twice a Triple Crown winner and was a member of the 2009 Grand Slam winning side.

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