Noel McNamara tipped for Leinster

Yannick Bru’s assistant is tipped to take charge of the province that launched his coaching career.

The Times, quoted by Sud Ouest, and the Irish Times, quoted by RugbyPass, name Noel McNamara as Leo Cullen’s successor from the 2027-28 season. Neither Bordeaux nor Leinster had confirmed the move as of November 1.

A contract running to 2029

McNamara extended at Bordeaux this year. Sud Ouest wonders on what terms Laurent Marti’s club would release him, while RugbyPass suggests the clubs have reached a deal, without direct sourcing on that point. According to these outlets, Pumas head coach Felipe Contepomi has ruled himself out.

McNamara knows the province well: he came through Leinster’s academy and youth setup, then worked at the Sharks, where he met Yannick Bru, before following him to Bordeaux in 2023. It would be his first job as head coach of a province or club.

Leinster is part of my DNA. I’ve kept a strong connection with a lot of people there.

Noel McNamara | Sud Ouest

Bordeaux’s attack is up 10 points a game

Bordeaux have scored more every season since this staff arrived. The club averaged 22.2 points per Top 14 game in 2022-23, knockouts included. That rose to 25.3 in 2023-24, 29.8 in 2024-25 and 31.6 in 2025-26, and stands at 32.4 after eight rounds this season.

The period also brought the club’s first two titles: 28-20 against Northampton in the 2025 Champions Cup final, then 41-19 against Leinster on May 23, 2026.

The Nienaber effect

RugbyPass sees a knock-on effect for Jacques Nienaber, out of contract at Leinster this season. The site points to a return to Rassie Erasmus’s Springboks staff before the 2027 World Cup, possibly even before the end of the season thanks to a six-month break clause. None of this is confirmed.