LEINSTER’S Andrew Goodman cannot wait to join the Ireland coaching staff later this year.

Having spent a couple of years at the Blues as a player — helping them to the Guinness PRO12 and European Challenge Cup in 2013 — the New Zealand native returned to Leinster as an assistant coach in the summer of 2022.

He had held a similar role with the Crusaders in Super Rugby and was part of Samoa’s backroom staff for last year’s World Cup in France.

Given the backs coach is only in the middle of his second season with the side, Goodman would have been happy to stay with Leinster.

Yet when he was approached to take over from Mike Catt after this year’s summer tour of South Africa, it was too good an offer to turn down.

Goodman said: “There is mixed emotions because I love coming in here every day and I’m very proud to have played for Leinster, albeit for a short time.

“To come back and coach here has been exceptional — the way the family has been welcomed into Dublin and into the rugby environment.

“It always takes probably a year to get settled in somewhere and I could have seen myself being here for a long time.

“On the other side of things, the opportunity is hugely exciting and it was something I couldn’t turn down.

“The opportunity and the excitement around having to test yourself at the top level, to do it with a team that is playing some exceptional rugby and doing some great things under a head coach who is very highly regarded.

“It’s something I’m really looking forward to, getting in and seeing how they do things day to day.

“But also adding my flavour and making sure I can contribute to the evolution of the Ireland rugby game.”

Whereas his future side will begin life without Johnny Sexton when the Six Nations gets under way next month, Leinster have had some time to come to terms with the talismanic Dubliner’s retirement.

However, ahead of their Champions Cup final Pool 4 game against Leicester at Welford Road on Saturday.

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen is having to deal with a number of injuries in Sexton’s old out-half position.

Ross Byrne (arm) has been sidelined since the URC win over Munster at the Aviva Stadium on November 25.

And his younger brother Harry missed out on the visit of Stade Francais last Saturday after injuring his ankle in training.

This led to the versatile Ciarán Frawley being selected alongside Jamison Gibson-Park at half-back, but a rib issue led to him being replaced by Sam Prendergast in the 43rd minute.

While it remains a distinct possibility that Harry Byrne and Frawley will regain fitness in time to face the Tigers, Goodman is confident Prendergast, 20, can step up if the pair are ruled out.

He said: “Frawls was moving around on the field today. Harry has got a little bit to do, but he’s doing everything he can to get back on the field.

“We will have plenty of options there at No  10, with young Sam in there as well.

“I think Sam is very composed for a young lad. He’s got a great eye for space, he’s not afraid to call the space when it’s on.

“He’s getting some great reps out on the training field, so we’ve got every confidence in Sam to do the job when required.”