The IRFU says the door is open for Leinster to bring in a Director of Rugby, if needed.
IRFU Performance Director David Nucifora has praised Leinster head coach Leo Cullen.
But he admitted that if either he or Leinster wanted help from the IRFU, they would be happy to provide it.
“He’s doing a good job.
“It’s not easy coming into a head coaching position with such little experience because he is learning on the go and that can be tricky at times.
“He is developing and is going to develop into a really important asset for Irish rugby as a coach.
“We’ve got three very experienced coaches in Munster, Ulster, and Connacht”, said Nucifora.
“Leo looks like he stands out because of his inexperience.
“But we’ve worked with Leinster in putting Leo into the position.
“He’s there now and we think he’s going to be a really valuable resource to Irish rugby as a coach for years to come.
“If Leo requires any assistance over time, he knows he’s only got to ask and we’ll be there to give him that assistance.
“Does he need help along the way? Possibly, but that’s up to Leinster and Leo to ask for that if they think that’s required.”
©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Nucifora has also admitted that the IRFU are in talks with former Ireland captain Paul O’Connell about him taking up a coaching position.
O’Connell retired earlier this year, having failed to recover from a hamstring injury he picked up at the World Cup last year.
Nucifora admits they want to keep the Munster man in the game here.
“We’ve been chatting with Paul about what his future looks like.
He’ll make his decision when he’s ready about what exactly he wants to do, but we’ve been in touch with Paul, we were speaking to Paul before he retired about what the future might look like”, he said.
“You don’t want to waste a resource like Paul O’Connell, he’s got a lot to offer Irish rugby going forward.
“We’re just working with Paul to work out the best way of utlilising what he brings to our game.”
