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The 42
4 hours ago
- Business
- The 42
Lancaster is the biggest appointment Connacht have ever made
PAT LAM CAME to Connacht with a strong reputation in 2013, but there's no doubt that Stuart Lancaster is the highest-profile coaching appointed the Irish province has ever made. Lancaster will join after his adventure with Racing 92 in the French Top 14 came to an unhappy and early end, yet his credentials remain impressive. The 55-year-old was recently in the mix for the Australia job, only for the Aussie union to opt for Les Kiss – another man with strong connections to Irish rugby – to succeed Joe Schmidt next year. It was clear that Lancaster was looking to land another top-end job and so, when his name was floated as the possible next Connacht head coach, it initially seemed somewhat unlikely. Someone like Lancaster doesn't come cheap and it appeared that he might be holding out for a role with a bigger club if not a national team. That's why today's announcement from Connacht and the IRFU came as such a pleasant surprise, especially for the western province's fans. They have just endured a frustrating season in which they finished 13th in the URC and exited the Challenge Cup at the quarter-final stage. Former head coach Pete Wilkins had left after an initial period on sick leave and there was uncertainty about next season's coaching ticket. Now, Connacht fans can look to the future with optimism. The province's brand-new training centre is up and running, the redevelopment of Dexcom Stadium will be completed in January, there is lots of exciting talent in the playing squad, and Lancaster seems like the ideal man to help those players fulfil their potential. Advertisement Indeed, this seems like a snug fit for both parties. When Lancaster came in as England head coach and Leinster senior coach, both sides were at fairly low ebbs. He improved their players, energised the organisations, and simply made them better teams. Stuart Lancaster at the Sportsground in 2018. Inpho / Billy Stickland Inpho / Billy Stickland / Billy Stickland He wasn't able to do that at Racing 92. Before moving to France, Lancaster acknowledged that adapting to an entirely new culture would be his biggest challenge and that's probably where he came up short. Foreign coaches need to learn excellent French to thrive in the Top 14 and Lancaster seemingly didn't. It's a cut-throat place. Now, he is back on more familiar ground and will surely be more motivated than ever to prove that class is permanent. The Englishman is a pure coach in that he is obsessed with helping players to improve their skills. Nearly everyone he worked with in Leinster speaks highly of his ability in this regard. His endless enthusiasm for and love of rugby are infectious, and he has the technical and tactical mastery to encourage progress in individuals and the team. There are no doubts whatsoever about his rugby acumen, with the only question marks being around the non-rugby stuff. That's why it seems ideal that Connacht are also bringing in their new general manager of performance, the experienced Billy Millard. His role is wide-ranging and wasn't intended to be directly as part of the senior coaching ticket, but Millard should be able to remove some off-field work such as contracting and succession planning from Lancaster's plate. Every head coach needs that kind of support away from the pitch, but make no mistake – Lancaster will be the boss in Connacht. Unlike in Leinster, where Leo Cullen was head coach, Lancaster's word on all rugby matters will be final in Connacht. He will take control of Connacht's defence, but it would be a surprise if he doesn't also have major input on their attack, even if Rod Seib is coming in from Australia to take on that role. Lancaster has strong ideas on attack, defence, kicking, and pretty much everything else. It is exciting to see how Lancaster's Connacht look. That he has a full pre-season working with the squad is ideal. The province has prided itself on easy-on-the-eye attacking play for a long time and their new head coach has always favoured a skilful and free-flowing approach with the ball. Lancaster has always come across as someone who enjoys a challenging project and that's what he has in Connacht. They have always been underdogs, but there are promising raw materials for him to work with as he joins on a two-year deal. The foundations have been laid off the pitch and young players like Hugh Gavin and Matthew Devine will be delighted to get the chance to work under Lancaster. The same is true of the most experienced men in Connacht's squad, the likes of Jack Carty and Bundee Aki. Lancaster helped many of Leinster's senior players to get better during his seven years in Dublin. He also impressed lots of coaches within the province by sharing his knowledge through coaching courses or the video seminars he held during the pandemic. Most people Lancaster meets are left impressed by his knowledge of the game. Lancaster had a difficult time with Racing 92. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO This is a big coup for Connacht but also for the IRFU, who directly employ the head coaches of the four provinces. The union's performance director, David Humphreys, was right to call this 'a real statement of intent' for Connacht and a 'huge boost' for all of Irish rugby. The IRFU wants and needs all of its provinces to be delivering as many players as possible to the national squad. So while someone like Lancaster comes at a price, his track record suggests that IRFU mission will be strengthened. And for Lancaster, a contract with Connacht that runs until 2027 could leave him in the frame to become Ireland head coach if Andy Farrell leaves after the next World Cup. He evidently wants another crack at international rugby. That's some way down the line. For now, Connacht have landed a serious rugby coach who should make them better.
Irish Examiner
5 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Stuart Lancaster appointment gives Connacht a new lease of life
THE quicksand which Connacht's campaign seemed to be sinking in all season took a bad nosedive in the second week in April when first head coach Pete Wilkins, on sick leave for several weeks, announced he was leaving. Then their only hope of salvaging something from a term which promised so much initially, went by wayside when they went down to 14-man Racing 92 in the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup in Galway. Their hopes of securing a top half in the URC — they eventually finished fourth from bottom — were all but dead at that stage after letting many winning hands slip, but they had a real chance of making a first-ever European final as success over Racing 92 would have set up a winnable home semi-final against Lyon. However, with their defence appalling all season, they found themselves the wrong side of a 43-40 scoreline for the second time in four games and with the €40m redevelopment of the Sportsground set to be unveiled next season, they found themselves once again stuck in the Challenge Cup and with morale at its lowest since before Pat Lam came in and guided them to their first-ever trophy, when they won the league in 2016. But it's all ill-wind and all that. At out-half for Racing 92 that evening was Dan Lancaster and that was enough to prompt his parents Stuart and Nina to make the trip to the Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Stuart Lancaster had started the season in charge of Racing 92 for the second season but it was a move which had not worked and there was a parting of the ways in mid-season. Lancaster had been to the venue many times during his seven years with Leinster but now he got a chance to see the new stand rise into the Galway sky and behind it an indoor high performance centre on a par with anywhere. On the field he witnessed a side with bucket loads of talent screaming out for direction. The seeds were sown and when the IRFU and Connacht came knocking, it was an easier sell to a guy who would have seen Galway at its finest on the cusp of the summer months. He is a huge coup for Connacht and the timing could not be better. The squad assembled last summer was the best Connacht have ever put together. Connacht have never had much clout with the IRFU hierarchy but Stuart Lancaster will bring that. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile They were unfortunate with injuries, they rarely got a bounce of the ball but a lot of the damage was also self-inflicted, particularly in defence, not least when they had just scored. They have two players in the Lions squad with a third, tighthead Finlay Bealham, on standby for a call-up. Their Irish representation is increasing all the time and given Lancaster's coaching talents, local lads such as Cathal Forde and Hugh Gavin will surely be taken to another level. So too Ben Murphy, Matthew Devine, Finn Treacy and Shayne Bolton, among others. They must be buzzing for the start of the new season. Supporters who have endured a building site for a home venue all season and who were humming and hawing about renewing tickets for next season will surely have their heads turned by this, with the new stand set to open when they host Leinster at the end of next January. Lancaster's arrival will have two other significant impacts. Around one-third of the Connacht squad are usually players who have come up through the ranks in Leinster but a lot of players just outside Leo Cullen's squad have often remained in Dublin. A few now might be tempted to follow Lancaster west who would have previously stayed there. Lancaster will also have serious clout with the IRFU. He would surely be heading to Georgia and Portugal as part of the Irish management for that tour had he been in situ, while he must surely be regarded as a possible successor whenever Andy Farrell departs. Connacht have never had much clout with the IRFU hierarchy but Lancaster will bring that. It's just one of the many positives from a landmark signing that resets Connacht and suddenly, after one of their most dismal seasons in years, facing into the future with a pep in their step and counting down the days when their season will open at home to a Benetton side on September 28 who will arrive with Wilkins as their attack coach. The rugby circle of life keeps turning.
The Independent
8 hours ago
- General
- The Independent
Stuart Lancaster ‘honoured and humbled' by new coaching role
Stuart Lancaster has been appointed as the new head coach of Connacht, marking his return to Irish rugby after being sacked by Racing 92. Lancaster, who previously coached England from 2012 to 2015, has signed a two-year deal with Connacht, succeeding Pete Wilkins. During his seven seasons with Leinster, from 2016 to 2023, Lancaster contributed to the club winning the Champions Cup and four Pro 14 titles. Lancaster expressed his excitement about joining Connacht, emphasising the club's identity, supporter base, and potential, and his commitment to creating a thriving environment for players. Lancaster's staff at Connacht will include John Muldoon and attack coach Rod Seib.
France 24
9 hours ago
- Business
- France 24
Ex-England boss Lancaster named Connacht head coach
The 55-year-old has signed a two-year contract and will oversee pre-season training in July. Lancaster was appointed England head coach in 2011 before leaving following a dismal home World Cup in 2015. He was most recently head coach of French club Racing 92, having worked as a senior coach at Irish province Leinster between 2016 and 2023. "Connacht is a club with a proud identity, a passionate supporter base, and enormous potential both on and off the field, so I'm honoured and humbled to be given the opportunity to lead the professional men's team programme," Lancaster said. Connacht chief executive Willie Ruane said: "Stuart is one of the most respected coaches in world rugby and we are absolutely thrilled to appoint someone of his calibre. "He has a proven track record in developing young talent, building a high-performance environment and, most importantly, delivering success and helping teams realise their ambitions." Connacht had a difficult 2024/25 season, finishing 13th in the 16-team United Rugby Championship to miss out on the play-offs and Champions Cup qualification.
Wales Online
11 hours ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Stuart Lancaster lands top coaching job after links with Wales roles
Stuart Lancaster lands top coaching job after links with Wales roles A contender for the Wales job has decided to go elsewhere Stuart Lancaster has landed a new job in rugby (Image:) Former England boss Stuart Lancaster has been named head coach of Irish province Connacht. Lancaster was heavily linked with the vacant Wales head coach role and was also touted for as director of rugby before the Welsh Rugby Union appointed Dave Reddin. The 55-year-old has been out of work since leaving French giants Racing 92 earlier this year. Lancaster is highly rated in coaching circles and as well as being linked with Wales has openly admitted he was was interviewed for the Australia job before losing out to Les Kiss. The search for Warren Gatland's long-term successor as head coach of Wales is ongoing with the WRU hoping to make an announcement in the near future. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Cardiff boss Matt Sherratt will lead Wales on an interim basis to Japan this summer where he will be joined by Danny Wilson (forwards), Gethin Jenkins (defence), T. Rhys Thomas (skills) and Adam Jones (scrum). Article continues below Lancaster was head coach of England when they got knocked out of their home Rugby World Cup in 2015 after a famous defeat to Wales at Twickenham. Lancaster has since rebuilt his coaching reputation following a successful seven-year stint at Leinster. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. "Connacht is a club with a proud identity, a passionate supporter base and enormous potential both on and off the field, so I'm honoured and humbled to be given the opportunity to lead the professional men's team programme," he said. Article continues below "I'm a firm believer in creating an environment that enables players to thrive and realise their potential, while playing a brand of rugby that inspires the community of which they represent. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free "Ever since my initial conversations with Willie [Ruane, Connacht chief executive], David [Humphreys, IRFU performance director] and the rest of the selection committee, it's clear that same belief exists here in Connacht, and that's why I'm so excited by this opportunity."
