From the outset of Lancaster’s time as England coach, there were questions about whether the former Leeds rugby director and England Saxons (the national A side) had sufficient elite-level experience for the job.
Advertisement
However, the same day the the RFU held a press conference where chief executive Ian Ritchie said: “The most important thing is to get the right person”. From the day that he was given an opportunity until the final statement in role Stuart Lancaster has acted with extreme integrity and endeared himself to many individuals.
Australia’s Eddie Jones, appointed this week as head coach of South African club the Stormers, and New Zealander Wayne Smith both claimed they had no interest in any advances from England, despite the RFU vowing to break the bank for their new boss.
RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie praised the “extremely comprehensive” review which ultimately led to Lancaster’s departure – before placing on record his thanks for the work done by the outgoing head coach.
“We didn’t achieve success on the field when it mattered and we all have to take responsibility for that, but me especially as head coach”.
Ritchie met Lancaster yesterday, where he says the pair agreed it was time for a change after hearing the conclusion of a Review Panel that had spoken to almost 60 people including players about what should be done.
“As I have always said there are a couple of teams in the world that have the ability of getting that right and England are one of them”.
Lancaster left his post as England coach following the team’s early exit from the World Cup. As I have always said, I accept and take responsibility for the team’s performance and we have not delivered the results we all hoped for during this tournament.
“I took on the role in hard circumstances and it has been a huge challenge to transition the team with many hurdles along the way”, he added.
Australia used to take a similarly hardline stance but, under coach Michael Cheika – also linked to the England job – they relaxed their rules to allow players with at least 60 caps and seven years’ experience with an Australian Super Rugby team the chance of a recall. It is a young group of players with the huge majority available for the Rugby World Cup in Japan in 2019, where I believe their recent experience will make them genuine contenders.
Northampton assistant coach Dorian West said: “We’re really disappointed for Stuart”. “This is a very attractive job within rugby. But we’ve got to draw a line under it now”.
He said: “I don’t find the Sam Burgess situation in any way embarrassing”.
Advertisement
“We were delighted that he wanted to come and delighted that he came”. We did not pay any money to bring him to England and there was no insistence on our part that he was picked. “There was no insistence that Stuart had to pick him”.
