Leinster confirm contract extensions for coaching team
Jacques Nienaber has extended his stay with Leinster
©Steve Haag
Leinster Rugby has extended the contracts of senior coaches Jacques Nienaber, Tyler Bleyendaal, and Robin McBryde through the end of the 2026/27 season.
The trio will continue to play a central role in guiding the United Rugby Championship (URC) champions.
Former Leinster out-half Emmet Farrell has been appointed as Provincial Kicking Coach, a newly created role designed to better align kicking development across the senior squad, clubs, and schools. Farrell will also continue as the senior team’s Kicking Coach.
Brian Colclough, who has been with Leinster since the 2016/17 season, will now serve as Lead Performance Analyst, succeeding Farrell. Colclough has also worked with Samoa and the Irish national setup in performance roles.
Head coach Leo Cullen welcomed the news, praising the experience and fresh ideas the coaching staff bring.
He said Jacques, Robin, and Tyler have contributed significantly to both the senior squad and academy pathways, engaging with clubs and schools across Leinster.
"I think we can all appreciate the work that Robin, Jacques and Tyler have done but also the mark that they have left and are leaving on Leinster in their time here," head coach Leo Cullen said.
"They have all brought tons of relevant experience and a different perspective to how we do things and I think that's hugely important for the development of our group, that we hear other voices and other ways of operating.
"It's not just around the senior team as well, you see it with our academy players and the work that they do visiting the clubs and the schools and giving freely of their time."
The new deal effectively ends speculation of Nienaber returning to the Springboks coaching setup before the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. His contract with Leinster runs until mid-2027, leaving little scope for a move before the tournament.
Leinster will open their URC title defence with two away games in South Africa. They face the Stormers on 26 September followed by the Bulls on 4 October.
