The former Ireland, Munster and British & Irish Lions captain Paul O’Connell will be joined by Denis Leamy, Mike Prendergast and Colm ‘Cullie’ Tucker to complete the backroom team for this summer’s two-Test tour to Europe following the conclusion of the respective provincial campaigns in the United Rugby Championship and Champions Cup.
Ireland, without the players selected by Andy Farrell for the Lions tour to Australia, face Georgia in Tbilisi and Portugal in Lisbon in July, with the touring squad to be announced in mid-June.
Following a successful playing career with Ireland and Munster, Leamy joined the province as defence coach ahead of the 2022/23 season. Prior to that he worked with Leinster, where he initially joined as an elite player development officer in 2019 and was promoted to Leinster’s senior coaching team as a contact skills coach in October 2021.
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Munster attack coach Prendergast, also a former player, brings a wealth of coaching experience following spells with Racing 92, Stade Francais, Oyannax and Grenoble since making the move to France in 2013. The former scrumhalf joined Munster’s coaching team ahead of the 2022/23 season.
Tucker led the Connacht coaching team for last weekend’s URC interpro clash with Munster at MacHale Park in Castlebar, deputising in the absence of head coach Pete Wilkins, who remains on sick leave.
“With a busy schedule of international rugby this summer, these two Tests will provide us with further opportunities to assess and develop the competition levels within the squad,” said O’Connell, who was part of the Irish coaching team that won the Grand Slam in 2023.
“I am excited to work with a coaching team who I know well individually and are hugely motivated to deliver success to Ireland and look forward to putting our plans in place over the coming weeks.”
IRFU performance director David Humphreys pointed to a step up in O’Connell’s coaching career. “We’re delighted that Paul has accepted this role and believe that his elevation ensures continuity within the Men’s coaching team,” he said.
“He will be assisted by Denis, Mike and Cullie who have all been in Ireland camp at different points over the last number of months and their selections is another positive progression in their coaching careers and reasserts the IRFU’s commitment to developing a pathway for Irish coaches.”
Ireland summer tour
Saturday, July 5th: Georgia v Ireland, Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi, kick-off 9pm local time, 6pm Irish time.
Saturday, July 12th: Portugal v Ireland, Estádio Nacional do Jamor, Lisbon, kick-off time tbc.
