Paul O’Connell says it would be “great” to get Noel McNamara back involved in Irish Rugby, after it was reported the Clare native is expected to be appointed Leinster’s next head coach.
The Sunday Times have reported that the Bordeaux-Begles assistant is set to replace Leo Cullen as head coach of the province next summer.
McNamara previously worked for Leinster as head of their academy between 2019 until 2021 before a two-year spell with the Sharks in South Africa, while he has been part of Yannick Bru’s coaching ticket at Bordeaux since 2023, helping the French side to two Investec Champions Cup titles.
The Clare native – who also enjoyed a successful spell as head coach of Ireland’s U20 team – signed a contract extension with the French side until 2029 earlier this year, but Leinster are set to buy the 43-year-old out of that deal.
“It’d be great. He’s a fantastic coach and he has some amazing experience now,” Ireland forwards coach Paul O’Connell said this morning, when asked about McNamara’s potential appointment.
“Whether he’s gotten the job or not, I’m sure Leo [Cullen] will have media soon and you can ask him.”
While McNamara has been out of the Irish system for five years, his experiences in the pathways and academy at Leinster, and the Irish U20 system, means he is deeply familiar with a large section of Leinster’s squad.
Former Leinster assistant coach Felipe Contepomi had previously been touted as the most likely replacement, although the Argentina head coach downplayed those rumours last week ahead of his side’s upcoming meeting with Ireland.
Ronan O’Gara had been the standout candidate in the summer when Cullen had announced he would step down in the summer of 2027, but the former Munster out-half signed a new deal at La Rochelle, before stating in a recent interview that he was never approached by Leinster.
It now appears that a different Munster man is set to take the job, just not a former Munster player, with McNamara getting into coaching while working as a maths teacher at Clongowes Wood, where he taught current Leinster and Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan.
Leinster are expected to confirm McNamara’s appointment at some stage in November during the province’s international break, although there is still uncertainty around the rest of the backroom team, all of whom are out of contract.
Senior coach Jacques Nienaber is expected to leave his role at the end of the season, which could see him rejoin the Springboks in time for the Rugby World Cup, while he has also been linked with a future role at The Stormers.