This is why a lot of the Leinster Rugby players have dyed their hair blonde

Such a great idea.

A lot of the Leinster players sported new hairstyles when they played their season opener on Friday night and it was all for a very good cause. They joined together for a Leinster Rugby Shave or Dye campaign to help out their defence coach, Kurt McQuilkin, who left the club to return home to New Zealand for personal reasons. Leinster Rugby has set up a dedicated GoGetFunding page where they have currently raised nearly €7,000. In a statement on the page they've said: "That focus and our desire to help out our friend and colleague, has led to this - a fundraising campaign set up by the Leinster Rugby back room team that will see us shave or dye on Tuesday the 30th August 2016. All proceeds from this campaign will be donated to the McQuilkin family to help them at this most difficult of times. Leinster Rugby would finally like to acknowledge the support of our two charity partners Aware and DEBRA Ireland with this campaign." On Tuesday of last week, they all did their part for the campaign, some opting for blonde hair and others shaving their hair off. They each shared images on social media.

Shave or Dye for a great mans family, so I shaved and Dyed https://t.co/bnNC7NgcBZ pic.twitter.com/5VJzFAM4xs

— Sean O' Brien (@SeanOBrien1987) August 30, 2016

Intensity in the eyes!!!! https://t.co/527VyOgksZ pic.twitter.com/wn2rSy7lvD — Sean Cronin (@SeanCronin2) August 30, 2016

Finally bit the bullet, any help for Kurt would be greatly appreciated #LRShaveorDye https://t.co/GKHMOVXbJZ pic.twitter.com/MuBgZHjW71

— Devin Toner (@DevinToner4) August 30, 2016

#LRShaveorDye @leinsterrugby pic.twitter.com/pcIgh7KvLz — Jack McGrath (@jackmc100) August 30, 2016

Anyone else think @MikeRoss03 and @ProperChurch are pulling this off?! #LRShaveorDye pic.twitter.com/xH97pMOMsD

— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) August 30, 2016

Proud to support the McQuilkin family @leinsterrugby. Link for any donations :https://t.co/LhqeUlGtGm #LRShaveorDye pic.twitter.com/FH07nrMM0F — Fearghal Kerin (@fearghalkerin) August 30, 2016

#LRShaveorDye Any donations are much appreciated @leinsterrugby https://t.co/4Yum7PBhFs pic.twitter.com/vP6ULlRpxb

— Fergus McFadden (@fergmcfadden) August 30, 2016

Johnny Sexton was the first to show off his new hair-do in person before Friday's game when he appeared on Autograph Alley at the RDS, which allows rugby fans to meet three of the Leinster Rugby team ahead of kick off at the stadium.

"This was not an easy decision by any means because you do become very close to a team and to this team in particular and to this group of players and coaches. The last week or so and the support they have shown both me and my family I suppose reinforces that feeling that I have for Leinster Rugby. This is a special place with special people. "But I am needed at home. And that is where I must go to be with my family and with my dad and sister in particular who are ill as they go through a tough time and to support them up close rather than from afar. "I would though like to thank from the bottom of my heart all those that have supported the fundraising efforts. "The gesture took me by surprise and it is very humbling to see the outpouring of emotion from players, back room staff and Leinster supporters and indeed from the wider rugby family. It has raised my own spirits and indeed the spirits of my family back home to know that we are in people's thoughts."