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What is the primary task of a provincial head coach such as Leo Cullen? Is it to win the Champions Cup? Failing that, to win the URC? Or is it to develop and produce players for Ireland?
Like Cullen, Clayton McMillan, Stuart Lancaster and Richie Murphy were sought out, interviewed, appointed and paid by the IRFU. Their assistant coaches and backroom staff are under the employment of the respective provinces, albeit subsidised by the IRFU.
So it is that their main role is to supply the national team. The Leinster machine under Cullen has been pretty effective at this.
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