Irishman Noel McNamara, in charge of the backline at Bordeaux-Bègles since 2023, has extended his contract by two seasons with the Girondin club, to which he is now linked until 2027, the UBB announced on Tuesday. “Delighted to continue our adventure at UBB”.wrote the Irish technician on X after the announcement. McNamara, 42, the son of a farmer and a nurse midwife, was originally a teacher of physical education and mathematics, but is passionate about rugby, which he has never played.

After becoming a coach at a secondary school near Dublin and reading widely on the game and coaching, he caught the eye of Leinster, who entrusted him with their youth teams and then the management of their academy. Appointed head coach of Ireland’s U18, U19, U20 and A teams, McNamara expanded his knowledge on trips to New Zealand and South Africa, notably Durban, where he made friends with Yannick Bru, who convinced him to follow him to Bordeaux, where the manager’s post awaits him for the 2023/24 season.

An adept of a game based on movement, taking space and initiative, which he calls “surfing”, the Irishman helped Bordeaux’s attack to shine last season in the wake of French internationals Matthieu Jalibert, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Nicolas Depoortere and Damian Penaud. This season, the UBB are back on a similar footing, having already scored 42 tries (top attack) in nine Top 14 matches.