Leinster have confirmed that Stuart Lancaster will leave the province at the end of the season and join Top 14 side Racing 92 as their new director of rugby.
Lancaster previously held the role of England coach, the Parisian outfit have agreed a four-year deal for him to come on board to help the club reach new heights.
The news will come as a blow for Leinster with the popular coach having brought success since joining back in 2016. Their 2018 PRO 14 and European double will live long in their memory from his time at the club.
Since then, they have since won three more domestic titles and reached two Champions Cup finals, his final year could be another successful one as they look strong again this season.
Commenting on the news this afternoon, Leinster Rugby head coach Leo Cullen said, “Stuart has been a brilliant asset to Leinster Rugby since he joined us in 2016. He has helped us to grow at all levels, both through his work with the senior team and his willingness to get involved with underage teams as well as clubs around the province, where he is always so generous with his time.
“I think there has always been a realisation that Stuart would move on to a new challenge at some stage. For that reason, we feel fortunate to have had him here for as long as we have, and we wish him, his wife Nina and kids Sophie and Dan the very best in their next adventure with Racing 92 in France.
“We have had some great days together and, on a personal level, Stu has been an incredible support. We will all miss him but I am very excited and enthused to go on and try to achieve further success this season as a group.”
Speaking to leinsterrugby.ie, Lancaster said, “I will be eternally grateful to Leo, Mick and Guy and the whole Leinster organisation for the opportunity they gave me and my family back in 2016.
“Initially it was for just one season and here I am entering my seventh and that is a reflection on all the players past and present I have worked with and the people of Leinster and Ireland who have made me and my family feel so welcome.
“I have always wanted to challenge myself as a coach in different ways and the opportunity to coach in France at a club like Racing 92 is an exciting one and I will look forward to that challenge when it comes.
“In the meantime, I really want to give everything to the whole of Leinster Rugby and the supporters in the next eight months as I feel we have more to come as we drive towards the exciting challenge ahead both in the URC and in Europe.”
Diarmuid Kearney
Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.