Connacht have named Stuart Lancaster as their new head coach for a two-year term.
The coaching change brings Lancaster back to Irish rugby after his previous stint of seven years with Leinster. During this time, he played a key role in securing a Champions Cup victory for the team along with an impressive run of four consecutive titles in the Pro14.
Lancaster, who led England during the 2015 Rugby World Cup, was last serving as the director of rugby at Racing 92 in France’s Top 14 prior to leaving the Paris-based club in February.
He will assume command in the western region before preseason training starts in July, also taking on the duty of overseeing Connacht’s defense along with his primary role as head coach.
This appointment fills out Connacht's coaching staff, which will now include Rod Seib coming onboard as the attack coach, Cullie Tucker taking up the role of scrum and contact coach, and John Muldoon as the lineout and maul coach.
“I’m hugely excited to be joining Connacht Rugby and begin this new chapter of my life in the West of Ireland with my wife Nina,” Lancaster said on Tuesday.
Connacht is a team known for its strong sense of self, dedicated fans, and great possibilities whether on or off the pitch, which is why I am deeply honored and modestly excited to have been chosen to head up their professional men’s squad program.
“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.
From the moment I first spoke with Willie [Ruane, Connacht CEO], David [Humphreys, IRFU performance director], and the others on the selection committee, it was evident that there is a shared conviction within Connacht. That’s what makes me incredibly enthusiastic about this chance.
Humphreys greeted Lancaster’s appointment as "a major catch and a clear indication of ambition" for Connacht.
Stuart is an exceptionally skilled coach who has demonstrated success in nurturing young talent and in forming top-performing and winning teams.
It became evident during the hiring process how knowledgeable he is about Irish Rugby and his passion for it; this appointment will greatly benefit the sport within the country.
The CEO of Connacht, Ruane, praised Lancaster as "one of the most esteemed coaches in global rugby."
We are utterly delighted to welcome someone with his level of expertise. His history shows successful development of young talent, creation of a high-performance setting, and most crucially, achieving victories and assisting teams in reaching their goals.
His approach to coaching and his perspective on how the game ought to be played align seamlessly with our core values and aspirations.
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