Two more years for coach Leo
LEO Cullen has agreed a new two-year deal to remain as Leinster head coach. His team – senior coach Stuart Lancaster, Girvan Dempsey and John Fogarty – will also remain but the duration of their contracts has not been specified by the province. Emmet Farrell will add kicking coach duties to that of head analyst for the coming campaign. Cullen, who won 221 caps for Leinster and was captain of three Heineken Cup-winning squads, was appointed head coach at the start of the 2015/16 season. Former England boss Lancaster was brought on board at the start of last term after a disappointing European campaign and defeat in the PRO12 final to Connacht. But the Blues’ impressive progress this season, with a host of young players coming through, was halted at the semi-final stage of the Champions Cup and PRO12 championship. “Leo deserves enormous credit for the way he has stepped up to the mark over the last two seasons,” said Mick Dawson, the province’s CEO. “There have of course been challenges and disappointments but already in his short career as head coach he has led Leinster to a PRO12 Final and to successive top two regular season finishes. “He has led the club to the last four of the Champions Cup this season, having already finished top of the pool and they went very close to reaching a first Champions Cup Final since 2012. “We are delighted to have secured his services for another two seasons.”