O’Connor remains tight-lipped over Cullen’s coaching role

Leo Cullen may well be Leinster’s forwards coach in waiting but no one was willing to confirm as much yesterday as rumours linking the club to Kiwi hooker Quentin MacDonald met with the same non-committal stone wall.

“No comment,” was coach Matt O’Connor’s reply to both enquiries, his words adorned with nothing more than a wry grin, though the Australian head coach did promise an announcement next month.

Cullen is the obvious choice to take over from Jono Gibbes who is departing for a similar role with Clermont Auvergne after five productive seasons with the Irish province, but not before wrapping up matters in Dublin.