Leinster are reportedly set to turn to a familiar face to succeed Leo Cullen, with Noel McNamara expected to take charge from next season.

According to The Sunday Times, the Bordeaux-Bègles attack coach has emerged as the province’s choice, with an official announcement expected in November.

The report suggests an unveiling could come midway through the month, when both clubs have a break in their domestic schedules.

McNamara signed a three-year contract extension with Bordeaux in May, but Leinster are understood to have secured his release.

It would bring the Clare native back to a province where he previously worked as academy manager and Leinster A head coach, having since built his reputation through spells with the Sharks and Bordeaux.

His recent work in France will be particularly familiar to Leinster supporters, with McNamara helping to shape the attack that caused them so much damage in last season’s Champions Cup final in Bilbao.

Bordeaux have won successive European titles, with McNamara working alongside head coach Yannick Bru.

Argentina boss Felipe Contepomi had been strongly linked with the Leinster position, but the former Ireland international has explained that the timing of their recruitment process proved an obstacle.

“Leinster had to make a decision earlier than I was able to make a decision myself,” Contepomi told The Sunday Times.

Contepomi is committed to Argentina until the World Cup and would consequently have been unavailable to Leinster until November next year.

McNamara would arrive with a different coaching background, having developed through schools rugby and Ireland’s underage system before moving into senior roles overseas.

He guided Ireland U20s to a Six Nations Grand Slam in 2019, while his previous work within Leinster gives him an existing understanding of the province’s academy and player pathway.

The report states that IRFU performance director David Humphreys has been closely involved in the recruitment process alongside Leinster chief of operations Guy Easterby and chief executive Shane Nolan.

An appointment has yet to be officially confirmed, but McNamara now appears set for a return to Leinster in the top job.