Former England coach Lancaster joins Leinster coaching team until end of season
Former England coach Stuart Lancaster has joined Leinster as a member of their senior coaching team, the Irish provincial side have announced.
The 46-year-old, who stepped down as England boss last November in the wake of the team’s dismal World Cup showing, has joined the three-time European champions on a contract that starts immediately and lasts until the end of the season. Leinster turned to Lancaster after defence coach Kurt Mcquilkin left the province’s coaching staff this summer to return to New Zealand for family reasons.
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen said: “Stuart brings a wealth of experience and is a highly respected figure in world rugby. We are all looking forward to having Stuart join our team and together helping the players maximise their potential as a group.”
Cumbria-born Lancaster has a Scottish mother and played for Scotland Students, Under-19s and Under-21s. He took over the England job following the 2011 World Cup.
His first match with the Irish province will be at Scotstoun on Saturday when they face Glasgow Warriors in the Guinness Pro12.
Lancaster’s four-year stint in charge of England came to an end after they became the first World Cup host nation to fail to get out of the pool stages, following defeats by Wales and Australia. He received criticism for the way he handled high-profile rugby league convert Sam Burgess – unsuccessfully switching him from an initial position of flanker with his union club Bath to a centre with the national team.
Since leaving the England post, the former Leeds Tykes player has had short-term roles at NFL side the Atlanta Falcons and in New Zealand rugby with Counties Manukau.
Lancaster has also held advisory roles with British Cycling and the English Football Association.
At Leinster, Lancaster will join a coaching team that consists of head coach Cullen plus his assistants Girvan Dempsey and John Fogarty. Former Wales, Lions and All Blacks coach Graham Henry is also working with the province as a consultant.