Flying high Lancaster aims for glory with Leinster
Stuart Lancaster has left England woes behind as Leinster eye Euro glory, writes Mick Cleary
Stuart Lancaster did not go to Leinster in search of vindication of his coaching abilities, but there is no doubt that his presence at the helm of the Irish province has greatly enhanced their prospects of winning a fourth European title when they face Racing 92 at the San Mames Stadium here tonight.
Brian O’driscoll has spoken of his former Leinster team-mates “waxing lyrical” about the hands-on input of Lancaster, who arrived in Dublin in September 2016 by chance circumstance at a time when his continuing unemployment following his dismissal by England 10 months earlier was “eating away” at him due to “a lack of purpose”.
As Leinster have prospered, so too has Lancaster, replenishing the void that followed World Cup failure. That sense of hurt, with his family particularly affected, and regret at what befell England in the 2015 Rugby World Cup was channelled into galvanising his new charges, who soon realised just what Lancaster had to offer. To them, he was no has-been, no reject, no damaged goods. Lancaster had pedigree and they wanted a piece of it.
Only five people close to Lancaster and to the Leinster hierarchy knew that the former England head coach would be walking in to address the squad one September Monday morning 20 months ago.
As he has done ever since, and always at his own expense, Lancaster took the Ryanair 6.30am flight from Leeds/bradford to Dublin, arriving in time to deliver a presentation. That twice-weekly commute across the Irish Sea has become a regular feature of his life.
After being sounded out by head coach Leo Cullen the previous week about filling the gap left by the sudden return to New Zealand of defence coach Kurt Mcquilkin due to a family illness, Lancaster stepped into the breach. Some might have just offered a few platitudes at that first meeting between coach and players. Lancaster delivered a seminar.
“The [general] staff saw me walk into the office with a Leinster shirt and two minutes later I was addressing 60 players and my opening line was, ‘I think we can do great things here,’” recounts Lancaster. “Leinster had just lost to Connacht in the Pro12 final and had come bottom of their European pool, shipping over 100 aggregate points to Wasps. I told them I thought we could win Europe and they looked at me as if to say ... ”
The sceptics quickly became believers. Lancaster then showed them video clips of their recent games, highlighting the good, focusing on their potential, all predicated as to why they had the potential to become European champions again.
It is impossible to find a Leinster player who does not sing Lancaster’s praises. “Phenomenal,” says Ireland and Lions centre Robbie Henshaw, a sentiment echoed by back-row forward Jordi Murphy and veteran, welltravelled back Isa Nacewa.
“I have had Michael Cheika, Joe Schmidt and Graham Henry who have all influenced my career,” said Nacewa, who rates Lancaster as their equal. “Stuart is phenomenal, always challenging us. He has been massive for Leinster.”
The upbeat air that surrounds Lancaster these days is a far cry from the anguished mood hanging over the protracted inquest into England’s failings at the 2015 World Cup. Lancaster has kept his counsel for the most part, even though he was given no public platform on which to defend himself. Even now, he is reluctant to be drawn on such matters, but he does concede just how desolate the experience was.
“I obviously look back with huge regret that we didn’t do better in the World Cup,” said Lancaster. “It was on my watch and it was my responsibility. I don’t see it now as me trying to prove anything to anyone. All I’m trying to do is a good job for Leinster because they gave me an opportunity in what was a difficult situation as a coach who had lost his job.”
Lancaster had been busy, taking himself off round the world to enhance his understanding of the wider sporting world, visiting Atlanta Falcons in the NFL, various Super Rugby outfits and clubs in New Zealand, having an interview with Queensland Reds and talks with Toulon. “I was doing bits and pieces but there was nothing in the pipeline,” said Lancaster. “My family were strong but it was tough, especially for my parents, when criticism is coming your way on the back of not doing very well.
‘‘The main thing for me was a lack of purpose. Not having a team to coach was really eating away at me, not being able to put anything right and just having to sit there thinking about it. Leinster has been the perfect role for me. That is why I want to work hard to achieve the success that everyone here deserves. It would be nice for my family to enjoy that moment.”
In that regard, Lancaster has plenty of credit in the Irish bank. There is much talk in Ireland about him stepping up to coach the national team were, as expected, Joe Schmidt to head back to New Zealand after the 2019 World Cup. A Lancaster-andy Farrell double act, perhaps? “We don’t know if there is going to be one [a vacancy],” said Lancaster, looking to quell speculation, acknowledging that he had some mixed feelings watching England immediately win a Grand Slam under Eddie Jones. “It’s a difficult one. You obviously want the team to do well because you worked so hard, but then you are not part of the success. I would never not want England to do well.”
Lancaster’s sole focus is Leinster, to whom he is contracted until the end of next season. A Champions Cup trophy in the Leinster locker would make any renegotiations all the easier. Lancaster is hot property, valued for his true worth, out there doing what he does best, hands-on and loving it, a redemptive story.
‘My family were strong, but it is tough when criticism comes your way’