Cullie Tucker to leave Connacht at the end of the season to take Head Coach role with Ireland U20s

Tucker has been with Connacht for 10 years.

Tue, 11 Nov, 2025 - 17:01

Fiona Halligan

Connacht Scrum and Contact Coach Cullie Tucker is to depart the province at the end of the season to take up the role of the Ireland Men's U20 Head Coach from the start of the 2026/27 season.

Tucker previously held assistant positions on the summer tour and took charge of the Ireland A side that defeated Spain 61-24 last weekend and will bring with him a wealth of experience to the role.

Announced last month, Connacht's Andrew Browne will be Head Coach of the U20s side for the 2026 U20s Six Nations which kicks off in early February with Tucker taking over for the 2026/27 season.

Tucker stepped in as Interim Head Coach for Connacht last season following the shock departure of Pete Wilkins in April.

Tucker is delighted to step into his new role after 10 years out west with Connacht.

“Working with Connacht Rugby for the past 10 years has been a massive passion in my life, and in my coaching career to date. I would like to thank CEO Willie Ruane and all of my colleagues in the Backroom team, staff and players for all their support and friendship over the last few years.

"It has been one of the biggest honours in both mine and my family’s life to coach under the Connacht crest. I am so incredibly thankful for all the experiences and lifelong friends I have made. My wife Deirdre, sons Colm and Charlie and daughter Evie are proud Connacht supporters and we, as a family, have enjoyed many a special night in the Dexcom.

"We will continue to watch and support Connacht rugby next season and it will always have a special place in my heart. There is no better place than a full Dexcom stadium with incredible support of the wonderful Connacht people, I’ll cherish those memories. Connacht have an exciting future on and off the field and I look forward to continuing to help drive the province forward over the course of this season under Stuart (Lancaster).

"I am excited to join the Ireland U20s squad and look forward to working closely with the emerging talent in our national pathway system over the coming seasons. I believe that the future is bright for Irish rugby and I look forward to playing my part in trying to achieve success."

IRFU Performance Director David Humphreys said "We are delighted to secure Cullie's appointment at an exciting and very important juncture for the underage pathway system in Irish rugby. Cullie is an outstanding homegrown coach who has gained a huge amount of experience both at provincial and national levels.

"He is also a passionate and talented leader and I'm looking forward to working with him to ensure the Ireland U20 team side, and all national age-grade teams and programmes, remain at the forefront of the player development system in Ireland."

Connacht CEO Willie Ruane added "Cullie has made a long-lasting impact on Connacht Rugby, going right back to when he first joined us in 2015. From his early days as a Coach Development Officer within our Club & Community team, it was clear he was a talented coach with an excellent eye for identifying and developing young players.

"We’ve seen that ability come to fruition both during his time in the Academy setup and, since 2021, as part of our Professional coaching team. While we’re all very sad to see him go, we wish him every success in his new role with the Ireland U20s, and every happiness in the future to his wife Deirdre and their three children."

An extended Ireland U20s squad assembled yesterday in Cork for a five day training camp before they face South Africa in a challenge game Friday night in Virgin Media Park (7.30pm).

The Ireland U20s will kick off their Six Nations campaign in France on Saturday February 7 before returning home to Cork for their opening home clash against Italy on Friday February 13.