Leinster confirm Cullen exit as questions grow over Nienaber's next move
On the back of Leinster’s emphatic United Rugby Championship victory over the Bulls, head coach Leo Cullen has announced that he will leave the club at the end of his contract next season.
Culen, and his coaching team, will continue to lead the Leinster until June 2027 and will continue their preparations for the upcoming season which are already well advanced.
Leinster Rugby CEO Shane Nolan has said that the recruitment process has already begun to find Cullen’s successor after spending 11 years at the helm of the province.
This is the same time former Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber’s contract with Leinster expires. He signed a contract extension to remain at the province until the end of the 2026-27 campaign.
The 52-year-old joined Leinster in 2023 after guiding South Africa to back-to-back World Cup wins.
Cullen’s position has come under scrutiny this season after Leinster’s Champions Cup final defeat to Bordeaux-Begles – their fourth in the last five years.
In a statement shared by the club, Cullen hinted that new players will “potentially be coming in” for the URC champions.
Speaking about his departure from the role, 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.
“We’re moving back to Laya Arena at the start of next season, and we can’t wait for that homecoming. We also have players leaving Leinster and other players who’ll potentially be coming in. 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.
Nolan said: “I would like to thank Leo for everything he has done as the Head Coach of Leinster, his achievements in the role speak for themselves, including winning seven trophies in 11 years culminating in a brilliant URC Grand Final win at Croke Park last Friday.
“Leo has been a great player, coach and leader for Leinster and will always be held in the highest regard by anyone that has ever been fortunate enough to work with him.”
NEW IN THE APP: Official World Rugby Rankings hub! Compare team rankings side-by-side, with data going back 20 years.
Download the RugbyPass app on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android) now!
