Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has agreed a new one-year contract extension with the province. 

Adding to the stability at the province, senior coach Stuart Lancaster, backs coach Felipe Contepomi and scrum coach Robin McBryde have each agreed to stay on for a further two years.

The news should end speculation about a potential departure for the much coveted former England head coach Lancaster.

Since Cullen's appointment ahead of the 2015-16 season, Leinster have won three Guinness PRO14 titles and reached a pair of finals in the Heineken Champions Cup.

Lancaster was added to his coaching team in September 2016.

Leinster CEO Mick Dawson said Cullen requested a one-year deal when he was offered double that.

"We offered Leo a two-year deal and were very happy to do so, but Leo, for his own personal reasons, has instead chosen a rolling one-year contract which we respect," Dawson revealed.

“It is very much our hope that Leo will sit down with us again next season and that he will indicate a willingness to commit for a second season, and we will discuss that possibility when the time is right.

“Until that time, we are delighted to have Leo on board and we look forward to working with him, with Stuart, Felipe and Robin and indeed with the rest of the coaching and backroom team to build on the fantastic work already underway.”

Addressing the length of his new contract, Cullen said, "I would like to reaffirm my absolute commitment to Leinster.

"I think anyone who knows me will know that my loyalty lies here.

"Representing my province as a player and then as coach has been among my proudest achievements in rugby and it is a huge honour for me to have been asked to continue. I look forward to serving Leinster Rugby to the best of my ability for as long as I am here.

“In the meantime, we can all look forward to the remainder of this season including the prospect of a Guinness PRO14 Final and Heineken Champions Cup game against Toulon.

"It has been a strange and uniquely challenging season but we will do our best to bring home some silverware for our wonderful supporters, whom we miss so much.

“Their passionate support is the missing ingredient at Leinster matches and we look forward to having them back in the RDS Arena and at the Aviva as soon as possible.”

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