Leinster have confirmed the departure of a coach when his contract expires at the end of the 2026-27 season.
Head coach Leo Cullen will leave the Irish club in June 2027, raising more questions about the future of senior coach Jacques Nienaber, whose contract expires at the same time.
Nienaber recently said he did not feel valued in Ireland, prompting speculation that he could return to the Springbok set-up ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
NIENABER: People don’t value me here
Cullen has guided Leinster to back-to-back Vodacom URC titles but failed to win the Investec Champions Cup since 2017-18, losing five finals.
“Leo and his coaching team will continue to lead the Leinster Rugby senior men’s team until June 2027 and will continue their preparations for the upcoming season which are already well advanced,” the club said in a statement on Monday.
“Leinster Rugby, in collaboration with the IRFU, will immediately begin a formal recruitment process to ensure that the best possible candidate is secured for the position.”
CULLEN: So much to love about Leinster
Cullen said: “By the end of next season, in 2027, I will have been in my current job for 12 years.
“It’ll also be 32 years since I first represented Leinster as a schools player! So, I think the timing will be right for me to move on to a new challenge.
“I managed 10 years as a player on different Leinster teams before moving to Leicester in 2005 and then returning to Leinster in 2007 to go on to experience some of the most amazing days imaginable.
“As many of you will know, I’m committed to Leinster up until the end of next season, and I intend to honour my contract, as I always have done.”
READ: Ireland hit by double injury blow
He pointed to the team moving back to the RDS Arena at the start of next season, saying “we can’t wait for that homecoming”.
“We also have players leaving Leinster and other players who’ll potentially be coming in,” he added. “So, I think it’s good to have continuity and certainty heading into the summer.
“We have a fantastic group of coaches, staff and players here and I know the club will do everything to ensure continuity and stability – two cornerstones of Leinster Rugby.”
Photo: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images
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Leinster have confirmed the departure of a coach when his contract expires at the end of the 2026-27 season.
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