Leo Cullen Announces Leinster Departure
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Leinster Rugby Head Coach Leo Cullen has this morning announced that Leinster defence coach Kurt McQuilkin will be leaving Leinster ahead of the start of the new season to return home to New Zealand for personal reasons.
McQuilkin is a former Leinster player and captain and was also defence coach under Michael Cheika as part of the backroom team that brought a first ever Heineken Cup to the province in 2009.
The former Lansdowne clubman, who played 32 times for Leinster and was capped five times by Ireland in the mid-1990s, re-joined Leinster in time for the start of last season and took over the defensive duties for the club. Under his stewardship Leinster conceded the least amount of tries in the Guinness PRO12 as they reached the Final in BT Murrayfield.
Commenting on the news Cullen said,
“This is very sad news for Kurt and his family and our priority is supporting Kurt in his decision as best we can. He will be with us for a few more weeks but after that he will head back home with our very best wishes in very trying circumstances and with the thanks of everyone at Leinster Rugby for his stellar contribution over the last 12 months.
“The process of replacing Kurt has already begun but right now our focus is on Kurt and ensuring that his move back home is as seamless as possible.”
Leinster conceded 27 tries during the Guinness PRO12 regular season and also had the least amount of points conceded at 290.
