Lancaster aims to leave Leinster with silverware

LEINSTER have began a global search for a new head coach after Stuart Lancaster’s departure to Racing 92 was confirmed by the province yesterday. The former England boss has been heavily linked with the Parisian giants since the summer and his move to France has been made official, with Lancaster signing a four-year deal to take over as the club’s director of rugby from next season onwards. The 52-year-old will leave a massive void in the Leinster coaching team, having coached the province’s attack and defence briefs since his arrival prior to the 2016-17 season. Dovetailing brilliantly with Leo Cullen, the pair have overseen a trophy-laden era, securing a European Champions Cup title and four URC trophies. Now, Lancaster will look to sign off his final season in Dublin with silverware, and Leinster have no shortage of unfinished business as they look to retain their URC crown and seal a first European title since 2018. Chief executive Mick Dawson, Cullen and team manager Guy Easterby will now step up the process of securing a high-class candidate to replace Lancaster in the summer. There should be no shortage of coaches putting their names forward for the job, especially in a post-World Cup season. Leinster may well make another play for Tony Brown. The former All Blacks out-half was heavily linked with the province in 2016 when Leinster parted ways with Matt O’Connor. Brown has been working alongside Jamie Joseph as Japan’s attack coach in recent years. The Kiwi was lauded for being the architect of Ireland’s downfall in their shock loss to the tournament hosts during the 2019 World Cup. Brown has also been heading up operations with the Highlanders in Super Rugby.

The New Zealander will be seeking a fresh challenge after the 2023 World Cup in France. ‘I have always wanted to challenge myself as a coach in different ways and the opportunity to coach in France at a club like Racing 92 is an exciting one and I will look forward to it when it comes,’ Lancaster (left) said yesterday. ‘In the meantime, I really want to give everything to the whole of Leinster Rugby and the supporters over the next eight months as I feel that there is more to come from us in the URC and in Europe.’