LEO CULLEN’S two-year contract extension has been confirmed by Leinster and the IRFU.
The province have not won any silverware over the past three seasons, losing back-to-back Champions Cup finals.
But he has received a vote of confidence from his bosses with a new deal which will take him up to the summer of 2027.
Leinster CEO Shane Nolan said: “Moving Leo away from his previous rolling one-year contract extensions was a key priority for me in 2022, as it was in this instance.
“And, given we are in the middle of contract negotiation season, I am delighted to get this business concluded ahead of a critical block of our season resuming next week.
“Leinster Rugby has won five trophies under Leo’s direction, making him the club’s most successful coach. Nearly 100 players have made their debuts under him, the vast majority of whom come through our pathway.
“Yes, we have come up short in the last three years and while we are very conscious of that fact, my remit and that of the club in making a head oach appointment, is to also look beyond that.
“We are consistently competing in finals year after year, we continue to develop exciting homegrown talent from our pathways.
“And when we do look externally for coaching or player recruitment, we continue to attract the highest calibre of talent to our club who are excited to work with Leo.
“While the last three years hurt, no-one feels that hurt more than Leo and of course, his players and coaches.”
After playing 221 times for Leinster, captaining the squad to three European titles, and a spell on the as forward coach, Cullen was appointed as head coach in August 2015.
He oversaw more European success in 2018 as well as four URC titles and Cullen said: “We are lucky to have a fantastic group of players and staff here at Leinster who I enjoy going to work with every day.
“Everyone in the group is focused on working hard, maximising our potential and making our families, friends and supporters proud of what we do on the pitch. I’m really excited by what the future holds for us.”
