Stuart Lancaster shoots down interprovincial move rumours

Former England head coach Stuart Lancaster has quickly dismissed rumours that he might be heading back to Leinster.

Lancaster, who turns 57 early next month, is in the final year of his two-year contract as head coach of Connacht and has been linked in the media as a possible successor to Leo Cullen at Leinster. Cullen is to leave the province at the end of the season.

Cumbrian-born Lancaster was Cullen’s right-hand man during a trophy-laden spell at Leinster, which helped him to rebuild his coaching reputation after England’s early exit from the 2015 World Cup.

Lancaster was appointed Leinster senior coach in 2016 and helped lead the side to four consecutive league titles and Investec Champions Cup success in 2018.

He arrived in Galway last summer after being shown the door at Racing 92 and has so far won 10 of his 19 games in charge, reaching the URC playoffs in his first season after an eighth-place finish.

Speaking to media this week, he said: “Honestly, I have not had any conversations with anyone from Leinster, either them ringing me or me ringing them, so there’s no communication there.

“Obviously, with my contract being up here, I have had some positive conversations with Willie (Ruane, Connacht CEO) and David Humpshreys (IRFU), but nothing is done.

“Nina (his wife) and I certainly enjoy living in Galway,” he added.

“We feel we are getting started on the project, and for me personally, I want to get my teeth into it.

“So, really enjoying it, but nothing to announce. Generally it’s a positive mindset for me about the ambition of the club.

“I am obviously wanting my ambition and the club’s ambition to match, and we are certainly heading in the right direction, so things are looking good.”

Connacht begin their URC campaign against the Stormers at the Dexcom Stadium on Friday night.

In the last meeting between the sides in April, Connacht scored three tries in the final 16 minutes to win 33-24.