Stuart Lancaster Racing 92 exit rumours wide of the mark

RugbyPass understands from well-placed sources close to Racing 92 that head coach Stuart Lancaster is staying firmly put in Paris despite rumours suggesting otherwise.

There had been speculation in the press this week that the former England boss was unhappy with his current situation with the Top 14 outfit and eyeing the Munster head coach role, but that is believed to be entirely false.

Moreover, the reported meeting that was held on Thursday was actually a Christmas lunch, and any board meetings had nothing to do with the head coach.

Lancaster left Leinster in 2023 after a trophy-laden seven years in Dublin, and is only a year-and-a-half into a four-year deal in the French capital, which he has every intention to see out. Given his history with Leinster, a move to Munster would have been controversial.

While there had been rumours that the Racing players were unhappy with Lancaster selecting his son, Dan, a former England U20 international, the club are of course without Owen Farrell currently, who would be the club’s first choice in normal circumstances.

Following two rounds of Investec Champions Cup action, where Racing recorded a victory over Harlequins and a loss to Sale Sharks, they will turn their attention back to the Top 14 for the coming weeks, with a trip to Montpellier on Saturday before hosting Lyon at La Defense Arena a week later.

The Parisian giants currently sit in eighth place in the league, with five wins from 11 matches.

Meanwhile, Munster remain in the hunt for a long-term successor to head coach Graham Rowntree, who was sacked in October. Ian Costello has taken on the role on an interim basis, while former Northampton Saints boss Chris Boyd has joined in a consultancy role. What seems certain is that Lancaster will not be moving to Thomond Park.