"Heads must roll" – Leinster fans call for coach to resign after final defeat
Rugby NewsSaturday, 23 May 2026 at 19:58
Leinster suffered a fifth humiliating Champions Cup final defeat as a first-half wave from Bordeaux saw the defending champions sweep aside the Irish to secure back-to-back trophies.
⭐ Save us to your Google Favourites for nonstop RUCK content!
Having lost to Northampton Saints the year prior in the semi-final, and a defeat in the final to Toulouse another year back, increasing calls have come for the imminent dismissal of one Leinster coach.
Defense coach Jacques Nienaber joined the Irish side in November 2023 following his World Cup-winning stint with the South Africa national team. Following his signing, there have been increasing concerns over the province's style of play, facilitated by the coach's defensive mind, backed by head coach Leo Cullen.
Over the last three years, despite consistently reaching the final or semi-final stage of the tournament, Leinster have never been in the top three teams for tries scored in the tournament. That was only put on display today as they were swept by a superior attacking side, Bordeaux, the top try scorers of the tournament.
Join RUCK’s Instagram broadcast channel and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.
Following the result, frustration at the appointment of Nienaber, as well as head coach Leo Cullen's facilitation of his style of rugby, is higher than ever.
"Jacques Nienaber hasn't delivered. We look the opposite of well prepared and primed for the final." One fan wrote. Meanwhile, Springbok fans have favored pointing their judgment elsewhere.
"Jacques Nienaber is going to be blamed for this, isn’t he? (It’s OK, we’ll take him back.)" An editor of SARugby Magazine wrote."
Despite the consistent frustration at Nienaber's defensive style of play, most fans have pointed their attention elsewhere at the Leinster head coach. During the Leinster coach's post-match press conference following the final, fans have grown increasingly concerned over his 'lack of ambition,' after naming the province as underdogs.
Cullen: "But yeah, a lot of my thinking here at the moment, yeah, there's a certain reflection of Geez, that was something pretty amazing to be part of. So, you know, they were the favorites for a reason, weren't they? Because they have had a very strong form over the last couple of seasons. And they have a lot of quality players."
"That Leo Cullen interview was preposterous." One fan wrote in response. Another piled on the pressure to Cullen's media antics after his previous outburst following their semi-final victory over RC Toulon.
"According to Leo Cullen it's all the media's fault, obviously. Leo Cullen probably thinks that this is the media putting the boot in again."
Ironically, Leinster's lack of attacking play has only highlighted the fact that the current attack coach of the most successful attacking side in Europe was right under Cullen's nose. Noel McNamara, who was part of Leinster's academy setup, eventually departed the province for the Sharks in 2022, where he would eventually make his way to Bordeaux, and a second title today.
"Looking forward to Leo Cullen scolding the press after a semi-final win, next year, for not reporting more on Damian Penaud's nudge on Jamison Gibson-Park Letting Noel McNamara get away has come back to take a huge bite." Irish journalist Pat McCarry wrote.
"Leo Cullen needs to resign. Biggest budget in Europe. Keeps his mates on the coaching staff. Stacked to the high heavens with internationals. Noel Mc was told to move onto the Sharks when he was better than most involved in Leinster. A fucking shambles. HEADS. MUST. ROLL." Another wrote a more extreme message.
More from the San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao:
Rugby Quiz: Can you name every previous Champions Cup winner?
Every season has added another name to the roll of honour, a roll call of the teams that have stood tallest in Europe when it mattered most.
Ahead of this weekend’s final in Bilbao, where Leinster and Union Bordeaux Bègles meet for continental glory, this quiz challenges you to go back through the history books and name every Champions Cup winner since the competition began.
Join RUCK’s Instagram broadcast channel and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.
TRENDING
LATEST NEWS
LATEST COMMENTS
Loading
