Some coup for Connacht
No fear the IRFU would try put in an indigenous coach.
1 Like
Not after seeing the results Leo Cullen has achieved.
1 Like
That’s a great appointment. I’d assume he’s been given reassurances about some new additions too.
Isn’t here enough Maoris/ Aboriginal/Saffie players in Ireland with out adding a an Indige coach?
I’ll get the door on the way out
Probably a bit late for next season but you’d assume if he has them within reach of the top 8 by end of 2025 (which he should really) he’ll get the benefit of the doubt for signings for 2026/27.
1 Like
Conna have a good few homegrown coaches up there. Would have been ideal spot to land Nigel Carolan or Noel McNamara for a top job but feels like neither want a head coaching role at this stage
Very bold & astute move by Connacht. Hopefully Stuart will be as active on LinkedIn as he was when working with Leinster. Some really great thought leadership points that could be applied in business settings.
5 Likes
Like who?
Seems the irfu are moving towards a director of rugby role in all the provinces along with head coaches.
The otb lads were reading your posts here a few years ago. They had a special leadership series with Stuart during Covid
What’s the breakaway league at croke park being discussed?
Leinster fans not buying into their URC quest for glory as another small crowd expected for semi-final
Summarise
Cian TraceyToday at 02:30
Leinster’s Jimmy O’Brien in action during the URC quarter-final against Scarlets at the Aviva Stadium which attracted an attendance of just 12,879. Photo: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Leinster’s quest to win their first URC title is failing to catch the imagination of their wider support base, as another relatively small crowd is expected at the Aviva Stadium for Saturday’s semi-final against the defending champions Glasgow.
Leo Cullen issued a rallying cry to Leinster fans after last weekend’s quarter-final win over the Scarlets for which the attendance was 12,879, and while it will be bigger this Saturday, the 51,700 capacity Aviva will once again have vast swathes of empty seats.
At the time of writing, 10,500 tickets have been sold for the last-four clash. Leinster are hoping that figure will be closer to the 19/20,000 mark come kick-off at 2.45 on Saturday afternoon.
Leinster’s Jimmy O’Brien in action during the URC quarter-final against Scarlets at the Aviva Stadium which attracted an attendance of just 12,879. Photo: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Unmute
1 / 2
Your video will start soon
James Ryan speaking ahead of Leinster v Glasgow Warriors
Leinster have only had one week to sell tickets, but a decision has already been made to again close the upper tier of the stadium.
Should Leinster advance to Saturday week’s final by beating a dangerous Glasgow side, Cullen’s side would face either the Bulls or the Sharks at Croke Park.
The Irish Independent understands that GAA HQ is Leinster’s designated ‘home’ final venue because since temporarily moving out of the RDS, which is being redeveloped, the province had to map out their season last year, and when they were doing so, the Aviva may have been required for a soccer match.
If recent evidence is anything to go by, Croke Park, which Leinster sold out for last season’s Champions Cup semi-final and their URC meeting with Munster earlier this season, would be a long way short of an 82,300 sell-out.
Leinster’s chances of making the URC final have been dented, as Josh van der Flier looks likely to miss out with the hamstring injury he suffered last weekend – although it is anticipated that the Ireland back-row’s Lions tour will not be impacted. Meanwhile, Garry Ringrose (calf) and Tommy O’Brien (foot) could return after missing the Scarlets win.
Split season for you.
1 Like
Timing is everything in sport.
Rubby shouldnt be played in June.
3 Likes
McNamara, Carolan, some of the Munster coaches who are being pushed aside for Johnny Kiwi.
Who is being pushed aside for him?
Not in this hemisphere anyway.
Chance of an RDS fiasco style multi-sport double header with Donegal v Mayo? They could use the same posts.
The lads currently there doing the caretaker job.
Prendergast is staying on as head coach. Ian Costello is going back to head of the development which is probably a more important for Munster at the moment.
After a disastrous season for the four provinces I’d say the IRFU are going to put experienced heads in place at the top.
Noel mc is an attack / backs coach. He’d be more a replacement for Prendergast than anybody else.