Home is where the heart is for both Leamy and O'Brien

Leamy’s return as defence coach after hitching his coaching wagon to Leinster for the past three seasons had been signalled for some time.

Denis Leamy during Leinster Rugby squad training session at UCD in Dublin. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

The world of Irish rugby seemed to tilt back onto its proper axis on Tuesday with the announcements in short succession that old back-row warhorses Denis Leamy and Sean O’Brien were rejoining their native provinces.

Leamy’s return to Munster as defence coach for next season after hitching his coaching wagon to Leinster for the past three seasons had been signalled for some time but was nevertheless reassuring to Munster supporters when the news was confirmed.