Noel McNamara has confirmed that he'll continue on as the head-coach of the Irish under-20 team for 2020, despite taking on the role of academy manager at Leinster.
He oversaw Ireland's Grand Slam success in last season's Six Nations and saw his injury-hit side finish eighth at the IRB World Rugby Championship before being appointed by Leinster.
“It’s a very exciting time,” McNamara told IrishRugby.ie ahead of his third campaign in charge of the Ireland 20s.
“Any opportunity you get to work with a national team, particularly young players, it’s always something that should be relished with great enthusiasm.
“This is our first time being based in the Sport Ireland Campus and I think it’s fair to say it’s a world-class facility and a huge addition to these players’ development and the player pathway. It’s just great to get started.”
He's also happy to juggle his two jobs in the coming months:
“There is obviously an overlap between the two and ultimately I think it’s an advantage being involved in the system and getting the opportunity to work with a national side and bench mark players against the best in the world.
“We’re really looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.”
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