The 2026–27 season is Leinster Rugby's sixth season in the United Rugby Championship, and 26th in all formats of the competition. Along with competing in the URC and its Irish Shield competition, the club will also participate in the 2026–27 European Rugby Champions Cup.
Leinster will enter the season as reigning, back-to-back and ten-time United Rugby Championship champions, seeking a third consecutive league championship title and eleventh overall; as five-time URC Irish Shield Champions, and as European Rugby Champions Cup runners-up seeking a fifth European Champions Cup title.
The 2026–27 season also sees Leinster return to the upgraded RDS Arena, renamed the Laya Arena for sponsorship purposes, from their residency at the Aviva Stadium, although selected matches may still be played at the Aviva or Croke Park.
Squad and management Leo Cullen continues in post as had coach for the 2026–27 season, in what is the final year on his current contract.
Transfers
The departure of James Lowe to Japan after 11 years with the province, simultaneously ending his career with Leinster and Ireland, and the departure home of All Black loanee Rieko Ioane headline the movements out of the club; Irish internationals Ciarán Frawley, Jerry Cahir and Will Connors also leave for Connacht Rugby, but Joey Carbery is expected to return from France.
United Rugby Championship
Matches Leinster Rugby will begin their sixth URC campaign away to South African side Lions. The first fixture at their traditional home, the RDS Arena, occurs in Round 3 against Cardiff. The venue for the now traditional 'blockbuster' home match against Irish rivals Munster has yet to be confirmed, but will be held in either the Aviva Stadium or Croke Park.
Standings
URC Irish Shield Leinster have won every edition to date of the Irish Shield, and enter the competition as five-time champions.
European Rugby Champions Cup The beaten finalists from the previous season, Leinster qualified for the 2026–27 European Rugby Champions Cup having finished second in the 2025–26 United Rugby Championship. The pool stage draw will take place on 1 July 2026.
Victory in the 2026 United Rugby Championship Grand Final earned Leinster one of the four top seedings, along with the 2026 Champions Cup winner's, and the winners of the English Premiership and French Top 14 competitions. In 1 July, Leinster were drawn with URC colleagues Glasgow Warrirors, who by the rules of the competition they will not face, and English sides Sale Sharks and Leicester Tigers, and French teams Pau and Clermont.
References