Noel McNamara is an Irish rugby coach from County Clare who has worked his way up from schools rugby to the Top 14. He began at Glenstal Abbey and spent eight years at Clongowes Wood, winning two Leinster Senior Schools Cups. In 2016 he joined the IRFU’s elite player pathway as a Leinster development officer.
His best-known achievement is leading Ireland’s U20s to the 2019 Six Nations Grand Slam as head coach. That year he was also appointed Leinster Academy manager. He then moved to the Sharks in South Africa as backline and attack coach under Sean Everitt, replacing Dave Williams.
He later joined Bordeaux Bègles in France and will become Leinster's head coach at the start of the 2026/27 season.
Career
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Union Bordeaux Begles Coach |
2024 - present |
