Leinster head coach Leo Cullen says it's only natural for Felipe Contepomi to be linked with the vacant Argentina job.
The former Los Pumas out-half and current backs coach for Leinster has been named as the frontrunner to take over as head coach of his native Argentina, following the resignation of Mario Ledesma last week.
Contepomi returned to Leinster as one of Cullen's assistants in 2018 following the departure of Girvan Dempsey to Bath, and while he still has just over a year left on his current contract, he's reportedly being sought after in his home country.
Cullen committed his own future to the province this week by agreeing a 12 month extension, and speaking ahead of tomorrow's URC meeting with the Ospreys at the RDS (live on RTÉ2), he says it's only natural Contepomi will be linked with the role.
"We're lucky that we have a strong group here, there has been speculation and links with Stuart (Lancaster), Robin (McBryde) and Felipe (Contepomi), Denis Leamy is making his way in the senior group as a coach, there will always be that little bit of speculation.
"I talk to the guys all the time, and there’s some great people there. When jobs come up, particularly when they’re linked… as Felipe said, there are three Argentinian coaches in Europe, so it's a short list, and he happens to be one of them.
"I think it’s natural he’ll be linked to the job.
"Plus, he had tonnes of experience as a player and is improving all the time as a coach. We’re very, very lucky to have him. There are always decisions to be made behind the scenes, but I like to think he’s pretty happy here as well," he said.
However, he conceded he would understand if Contepomi (above) felt the chance to coach in Test rugby with his home country was too good to turn down.
"Of course, but there will always be some level of turnover, and when opportunities come along, particularly international coaches, of course you want to see people progress.
"I generally wouldn't stand in anyone's way. That’s just the nature of it, we’re operating at provincial and club level, when some of these international opportunities come up, look at John Fogarty (Ireland scrum coach) as an example off with the national team.
"Whoever that is in the backroom team, from athletic performance and medical point of view, it’s similar, we celebrate guys when they move on," he added.
Leinster have been able to welcome James Lowe back into their matchday squad for tomorrow's visit of the Ospreys, while Sean Cronin is also on the bench with the 35-year-old set for his 200th appearance for the province.
The 72-cap Ireland international has recently taken his first steps into coaching with St Mary's in Division 1B of the Energia All-Ireland League, and Cullen says it's something that benefits all parties.
"When you see players you're involved with coaching it’s great satisfaction. I think all of us as coaches get great satisfaction from seeing players go on. Scott Fardy is the obvious example, away coaching in Japan.
"We’d have lots of conversions in terms of the next steps, how you make that transition from player to coach and it’s great to see Sean Cronin do that with Mary’s.
"As a player, particularly as an experienced player, he starts to turn to how he can add value to some of our younger players, in terms of helping their progression. I think it’s a very, very powerful thing.
"Hopefully he goes well in his career, the door is always ajar (at Leinster), for everybody!"
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