Ian Madigan: I can't see Ronan O'Gara wearing Leinster blue

The former Leinster out-half believes Jacques Nienaber and Joe Schmidt could be among the contenders to succeed Leo Cullen

Pictured is Aer Lingus College Football Classic ambassador Ian Madigan ahead of this year's game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the UNC Tar Heels, taking place at Aviva Stadium on Saturday, 29 August 2026. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Ian Madigan does not see Ronan O’Gara succeeding his old boss Leo Cullen at Leinster when the head coach steps down at the end of the coming season but the former Ireland fly-half does not rule out a number of other very big names lining up for the role.

Cullen, who first captained Leinster to three European Cups from the second row and then coached them to a fourth Champions Cup star as the boss in 2018, has announced he will step down as head coach at the end of the 2026-27 campaign after a dozen years at the helm in which he also delivered six United Rugby Championship titles.