Leinster Confirm Super Rugby Appointment

Leinster’s new Head of Athletic Performance, Charlie Higgins, at the open training session in Greystones RFC.

The IRFU and Leinster Rugby have today confirmed that Charlie Higgins has joined the province as Head of Athletic Performance.

The 43-year-old joins Leinster from Super Rugby where he was Head of Athletic Performance with the Perth-based Western Force and replaces Dan Tobin who has joined Gloucester Rugby.

Higgins has been with the Western Force since 2011 and before that had worked in various positions in Australia, Japan and England, and with clubs including the Waratahs and Bath Rugby.

Leinster Rugby Head Coach Leo Cullen said,

“This is a hugely important appointment and I am delighted that Charlie has decided to join us in Leinster. It is no easy decision to relocate to another country but he is looking forward to the challenge.

“He has settled into the role already and it was a very good first week under his direction. Charlie brings with him a wealth of experience in both the northern and southern hemisphere and we look forward to working with him in the coming months and years.”

Commenting on his appointment, Higgins said,

“In only one week here, I have already seen the dedication and the application of the players on the pitch and in the gym and that is replicated by the staff. I am hugely excited by the challenge that lies ahead and I look forward to making my contribution to Leinster Rugby.”

Leinster Rugby have also confirmed further additions to the back room and coaching team.

Noel McNamara has been appointed as an Elite Player Development Officer. McNamara, the former Irish Schools, UCD and Clongowes Wood College head coach, joins as part of the wider Academy team charged with identifying and developing players for Leinster and Ireland.

Cillian Reardon has been appointed as the Leinster Academy Strength and Conditioning Coach. Reardon, who has been with Leinster since 2010, had previously held a similar position with the Sub-Academy and has also worked with the senior team as a Sports Scientist.

With Reardon moving to a role in the Academy, Daniel Wood has joined the Leinster Sub-Academy as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach. Wood, who qualified from UCD with a degree in Health and Performance Science and a Masters also from UCD, has been involved with Terenure College, Wanderers RFC and Wicklow GAA in the past.

Finally, Darragh Curley has been appointed Lead Academy Physiotherapist with Leinster. The Galway native, who qualified as a physiotherapist from UCD and has a Masters from the University of Queensland, joins Leinster from Australia where he worked in private practice and with a variety of rugby, Australian rules and basketball teams. [Leinster Rugby]