Like Connacht, Leinster had a new captain for the season. Isa Nacewa retired at the end of the 2017–18 season, after leading the province to an unprecedented Pro14-Champions Cup double. The team's all-time leading scorer Jonathan Sexton was named as captain in August 2018, with Rhys Ruddock as his vice-captain. The team also had a new backs coach following the departure of Girvan Dempsey, who signed with English Premiership side Bath in May 2018. Former player Felipe Contepomi was announced as his replacement in June 2018. He joined from the Argentine Rugby Union where he had been serving both as part of the coaching staff of Super Rugby side, the Jaguares, and as head coach of Argentina XV, the country's second tier international side.