Bernard Jackman: Connacht rugby 'invigorated' by Stuart Lancaster news
Bernard Jackman believes Stuart Lancaster is an "amazing" appointment for Connacht Rugby, after what had been a couple of "rudderless" seasons for the western province.
The former Leinster senior coach was recently confirmed as Connacht's new boss on a two-year deal, replacing Pete Wilkins, who stepped down towards the end of this season.
Lancaster, who also spent four years as head coach of England, most recently spent a season and a half as head coach of Racing 92, although he departed the club in February after struggling in Paris.
It was at Leinster where Lancaster flourished, joining as senior coach in 2016 and helping the province to a Champions Cup title in 2018, as well as four Pro14 titles before leaving in 2023.
And Jackman believes it's a major coup for the western province.
"I spoke to some Connacht players and staff last night and they're invigorated by it," Jackman told the RTÉ Rugby podcast.
"It's been a tough season at Connacht and obviously they ended up finishing the season and a large part of the season with an interim coach.
"This has really given everybody a lot of hope and now they're going to go into a new stadium, they have a new training facility and clarity around who their head coach is.
"You have a head coach who has a very, very strong reputation in Ireland. He understands the Irish system well, the Irish mentality.
"He's looking to rebuild his career again, kind of like he did with Leinster.
"He's very ambitious and hardworking so he'll want to show with Connacht - with less resources than he had at Racing 92 - what he can do.
"Connacht have been quite rudderless for the past couple of seasons, and he will get more out of them for sure."
Given the Englishman's reputation in the game, Jackman also believes the appointment could give Connacht a big boost when it comes to recruiting players next season.
"I actually think that Stuart Lancaster, in a year's time, will be able to attract players from Leinster, players who have worked with him before," said the former Ireland hooker.
"It now makes going to Connacht more attractive, because of his proven track record in developing players.
"That's another advantage for Connacht fans, that their recruitment will be easier because they have a better training facility, a better stadium, plus someone like Stuart Lancaster.
"Everyone who has worked with him says he made them a better player. That's impressive."
While Lancaster had been in the market for a new job, and had recently gone on record detailing how he would like to coach in Ireland again some day, Connacht hadn't been seen as a potential landing spot for the 55-year-old, given their poor season in 2024/25.
And while Jackman believes Lancaster could have waited for more lucrative and high-profile gigs, his decision to move to Galway speaks volumes for his confidence in the potential of rugby in the west of Ireland.
He said: "Did he have other options? He's been on the record that he was very close to the Australian job. That's a fact.
"Only last Friday I got a call from someone in Wales checking references and looking for more info on him. He was on the shortlist for the Welsh job, which hasn't been given out yet.
"I think if he sat tight, he could have got a more high-profile job, but I think he sees a real opportunity here. He loved his time in Ireland and so did his partner.
"Stuart Lancaster has probably had the biggest impact on the domestic game, in terms of coaching, being a mentor to schools' coaches in Leinster.
"He's had more of an impact in his time here than a lot of homegrown or native Irish.
"He's the kind of fella who does really buy into it, and really understand what's going on.
"I think it won't be just on the field for Connacht. Other coaches in the domestic game there will benefit from his willingness to give up his time.
"He's unbelievably generous with his time and I know a lot of people in Leinster really missed him when he left because there wasn't anyone to step into his void with the same level of dedication he had.
"I have no doubt if he had decided to sit tight, a bigger job on paper would have come up. It's just he sees something here that he can improve."
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