Stuart Lancaster given Leinster Job

Bomber has been appointed by Head Coach Leo Cullen to a senior coaching job to replace Kurt McQuilkin.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37275413

Not sure about this - Leinster's big problem right now is a lack of skills, we can't offload a ball to save our life and strategy remains of running into contact and recycling (very very slowly). We are easy to defend against and what we need a skills coach more than what Lancaster can bring.

When Munster hired Farrell, it was clear what his function is - to work on Munster's defence - and most people in Ireland seem reasonably happy with that appointment. Don't think there'll be the same reaction to Lancaster.

I'm surprised the IRFU don't think he's blocking the signing of indigenous coaching talent

brennomac wrote:Not sure about this - Leinster's big problem right now is a lack of skills, we can't offload a ball to save our life and strategy remains of running into contact and recycling (very very slowly). We are easy to defend against and what we need a skills coach more than what Lancaster can bring.

When Munster hired Farrell, it was clear what his function is - to work on Munster's defence - and most people in Ireland seem reasonably happy with that appointment. Don't think there'll be the same reaction to Lancaster.

Nope. Farrell was there as a sounding board for coaching staff and players. He didn't coach defence.

brennomac wrote:Not sure about this - Leinster's big problem right now is a lack of skills, we can't offload a ball to save our life and strategy remains of running into contact and recycling (very very slowly). We are easy to defend against and what we need a skills coach more than what Lancaster can bring.

When Munster hired Farrell, it was clear what his function is - to work on Munster's defence - and most people in Ireland seem reasonably happy with that appointment. Don't think there'll be the same reaction to Lancaster.

Only Glasgow, Connacht and Ulster got more TBPs last season

Before McQuilkan came back our defence was a shambles, I hope we dont go back to having no specialist D coach.

Im all for getting Cullen someone with a bit more experience though.

What's happening with Kurt and his family puts everything else into perspective.

With regards to the above, this is a good bit of recruiting. Kurt had to drop out late in the day and most coaching set ups are already sorted for the coming year. Getting anybody is good going considering the season has started and getting a former international head coach onto the coaching ticket is a great move considering these circumstances.

thebandwagonsociety wrote:What's happening with Kurt and his family puts everything else into perspective.

With regards to the above, this is a good bit of recruiting.  Kurt had to drop out late in the day and most coaching set ups are already sorted for the coming year.  Getting anybody is good going considering the season has started and getting a former international head coach onto the coaching ticket is a great move considering these circumstances.

Is it publicly known what is happening or why do you refer to it?

The public line is that they went back to NZ for family reasons.
All I'd be comfortable saying is that the entire squad have done the 'shave or dye' in support of Kurt and his family.

I mentioned Kurt because the OP noted Lancaster as his replacement. Initial feedback is that Lancaster is a questionable signing.  Personally I think it is a great move considering the vacancy came up last minute due to personal reasons as opposed to being a rugby driven opening (which usually occurs at the mid-end of the season).

It's a bit weird seeing Lancaster in a Leinster shirt, and a bit puzzling that he's coming in as a defence coach (he wasn't a hands on coach for England). Wish him well at Leinster though, and hopefully he makes a fine contribution in helping Leinster to finish somewhere behind Ulster

Brilliant appointment.

Been a big fan of the way the Saxons played under him and England played under him too. England flopped badly in the RWC but they were extremely consistent in the Six Nations in the lead up and played some really nice rugby. He didn't make them champions but he did a decent job- if you can do a decent job as a head coach at test level, you should be able to do a great job as an assistant coach at provincial level.

The only thing that is a bit strange is that if you look at his experience versus Leo Cullens you would say that Cullen should be the assistant and Lancaster the Head Coach. The big thing is they sort out who in the coaching staff has what portfolio because the most natural positions Lancaster would fill seem to be taken by less experienced incumbents. But Lancaster doesn't seem like he has a big ego and he will be able to slot in wherever he's needed.

IRFU and Leinster have been very canny in recruiting both Farrell and Lancaster. When England flopped in the RWC, their reputations took a big hit. But they didn't all of a sudden turn into bad coaches. They're great coaches to have in the system in Ireland because along with Rassie Erasmus, Pat Lam and Les Kiss they are realistic candidates to replace Joe Schmidt if he decides to leave.

My thinking on who, currently working in Ireland, would be the best choice to replace Schmidt with;

1) Les Kiss
2) Rassie Erasmus
3) Andy Farrell
4) Pat Lam
5) Stuart Lancaster

Unlike when O'Sullivan or Kidney left we have several good options instead of just one. Superb work by the IRFU

Notch wrote:Brilliant appointment.

Been a big fan of the way the Saxons played under him and England played under him too. England flopped badly in the RWC but they were extremely consistent in the Six Nations in the lead up and played some really nice rugby. He didn't make them champions but he did a decent job- if you can do a decent job as a head coach at test level, you should be able to do a great job as an assistant coach at provincial level.

The only thing that is a bit strange is that if you look at his experience versus Leo Cullens you would say that Cullen should be the assistant and Lancaster the Head Coach. The big thing is they sort out who in the coaching staff has what portfolio because the most natural positions Lancaster would fill seem to be taken by less experienced incumbents. But Lancaster doesn't seem like he has a big ego and he will be able to slot in wherever he's needed.

IRFU and Leinster have been very canny in recruiting both Farrell and Lancaster. When England flopped in the RWC, their reputations took a big hit. But they didn't all of a sudden turn into bad coaches. They're great coaches to have in the system in Ireland because along with Rassie Erasmus, Pat Lam and Les Kiss they are realistic candidates to replace Joe Schmidt if he decides to leave.

My thinking on who, currently working in Ireland, would be the best choice to replace Schmidt with;

1) Les Kiss
2) Rassie Erasmus
3) Andy Farrell
4) Pat Lam
5) Stuart Lancaster

Unlike when O'Sullivan or Kidney left we have several good options instead of just one. Superb work by the IRFU

I think there are better possibilities not currently working in Ireland though. I really want to see McCall get into the international setup, he has won it all at club level. If Conor O'Shea can do a job with Italy he'd come into the reckoning as well.

Notch wrote:Brilliant appointment.

Been a big fan of the way the Saxons played under him and England played under him too. England flopped badly in the RWC but they were extremely consistent in the Six Nations in the lead up and played some really nice rugby. He didn't make them champions but he did a decent job- if you can do a decent job as a head coach at test level, you should be able to do a great job as an assistant coach at provincial level.

The only thing that is a bit strange is that if you look at his experience versus Leo Cullens you would say that Cullen should be the assistant and Lancaster the Head Coach. The big thing is they sort out who in the coaching staff has what portfolio because the most natural positions Lancaster would fill seem to be taken by less experienced incumbents. But Lancaster doesn't seem like he has a big ego and he will be able to slot in wherever he's needed.

IRFU and Leinster have been very canny in recruiting both Farrell and Lancaster. When England flopped in the RWC, their reputations took a big hit. But they didn't all of a sudden turn into bad coaches. They're great coaches to have in the system in Ireland because along with Rassie Erasmus, Pat Lam and Les Kiss they are realistic candidates to replace Joe Schmidt if he decides to leave.

My thinking on who, currently working in Ireland, would be the best choice to replace Schmidt with;

1) Les Kiss
2) Rassie Erasmus
3) Andy Farrell
4) Pat Lam
5) Stuart Lancaster

Unlike when O'Sullivan or Kidney left we have several good options instead of just one. Superb work by the IRFU

Stuart Lancaster as Ireland coach??

Really?

Will Irish fans call him Bomber then?

Artful_Dodger wrote:
I think there are better possibilities not currently working in Ireland though.  I really want to see McCall get into the international setup, he has won it all at club level.  If Conor O'Shea can do a job with Italy he'd come into the reckoning as well.

McCall is head and shoulders above any other NH coach. Can the IRFU afford him though?

Exiledinborders wrote:

Artful_Dodger wrote:
I think there are better possibilities not currently working in Ireland though.  I really want to see McCall get into the international setup, he has won it all at club level.  If Conor O'Shea can do a job with Italy he'd come into the reckoning as well.

McCall is head and shoulders above any other NH coach. Can the IRFU afford him though?

Apparently Joe Schmidt earns £250k a year and that is set to go up if and when he extends his contract. I don't know what Saracens pay, I know the RFU pay more than that.

As for Lancaster- if the four guys I reckon are better choices than him turned us down, then I'd struggle to imagine a guy of their calibre from outside saying yes. We'd be screwed then. But I honestly like the idea of him holding some kind of role, maybe even just as an assistant. He failed at international level and thats the potential value he holds. Because you learn more from failure than you do from success. I'm sure if Lancaster got a second chance he'd put the harsh lessons he learned into practice.

Same goes equally for Andy Farrell, which is why I think he'll do well for the national team.

Lancaster is only signed up for a year, so maybe looking at bringing him into the Irish set up after?

It could be that Lancaster is still on the market. I reckon Leo has been opportunistic and said to him, 'here come work with us, keep the CV ticking over and if a head coach offer comes your way during the year we won't hold you back'.

If Cullen asked for this, its great insight from him, he knows his weakness is experience and has brought someone in who has plenty of experience, He noticed a weakness with his coaching team and made an appointment to recity it, I think Lancaster will be a great guy to have around, and guide Cullen.

I liked Lancaster as England coach and said post world cup (2011) he was absolutely the best appointment the England team could have made.
He restored pride and responsibility in playing for England, a squad not individuels, with pride, he used lacked that arragonce or whatever to take them on further. Ideally he would have been replaced around 2013, but after losing the 6 nations on points difference and beating the All Blacks, the RFU couldn'd and they maybe hey didn't have the right man for 2014/15.

Anyway if he can get Leinster to gel better, but pride back in playing for each other, and support Cullen he will do well.
The only question mark is that as good a man manager and organiser he is, he isn't really a defence coach.

I see him more as a permanent Graham Henry advisor type, and defense coach still needs filled.