Lancaster: It’s for my family
STUART LANCASTER stepped down as England coach three years ago after a disastrous World Cup campaign, his reputation in tatters following the team’s groupstage exit on home soil.
Yesterday, though, he was central as his side claimed victory over Racing 92 in the Champions Cup final, a record-equalling fourth triumph in European rugby’s most prestigious club competition.
Lancaster cut a forlorn figure after England’s chastening defeats by Wales and Australia at Twickenham which ended their hopes of reaching the 2015 World Cup knockout stages.
He accepted full responsibility for the team’s performances after nearly four years in charge, and travelled the world to broaden his rugby experience before joining Leinster two years ago.
‘It means a huge amount to me, my family and friends — they are the ones that all stood by me in my tough times after the World Cup,’ Lancaster said after helping Leinster to win Europe’s premier club competition for the first time since 2012.
‘They have never once wavered in their belief in my ability and that is a nice thing. To have my wife here and son — and Sophie at home — that is for them really,’ the 48-year-old added.
The final could have gone either way as Racing were never behind until Isa Nacewa’s 79th-minute penalty won the game for Leinster.
‘We couldn’t get going and they came out and slowed us down at the ruck, which is obviously the way to beat us,’ Sexton added.
‘We did it the hard way. I never thought two or three years ago that this was going to happen again.’
Leinster had scored 31 tries in their eight Champions Cup games this season but they never broke the deadlock as Racing defended furiously throughout.
They benefited from Racing’s lack of discipline and Nacewa slotted the penalties home after Sexton had struggled.
‘We made it hard for ourselves, but we got the win and that is all that matters,’ said Man of the Match James Ryan after Leinster finished the competition unbeaten.
‘The line speed and the pressure they brought was unbelievable. We all worked our socks off out there — it was our toughest match of the season and just unbelievable to win.’