Lancaster joins Leinster

Leinster have confirmed the Lancaster will join the coaching team coaching team until the end of the season.  

The appointment occurred just ahead of the Round Two PRO12 match against Glasgow Warriors on Saturday in Scotstoun.

Lancaster was appointed to the role of England head coach in 2011 and led the team through four  Six Nations campaigns and a Rugby World Cup in 2015.

Since leaving his position with the English team in 2015, Lancaster has had short term roles with the Atlanta Falcons, with British Cycling's world-class performance programme, with the English FA and most recently with Counties Manukau in the National Provincial Championship in New Zealand.

Commenting on the new recruit Leinster head coach Leo Cullen said: "The sad departure of Kurt McQuilkin due to family reasons has brought about an opportunity to bring in somebody new to the Leinster coaching team.  

"Stuart [Lancaster] brings a wealth of experience and is a highly respected figure in world rugby.

"We are all looking forward to having [him] join our team and together helping the players maximise their potential as a group,"

Leinster CEO Mick Dawson has welcomed the new recruit and  confirmed that former England head coach Lancaster would join the Leinster coaching team as a senior coach.  

"We are always looking at options around resources but once we were made aware of Kurt McQuilkin's departure, we narrowed our focus and we are delighted that Stuart has agreed to come on board," Dawson said.

"I know, having spoken at length to Stuart [Lancaster], that he is excited by the challenge of getting into club rugby again and the day to day interaction with players. His first session with Leo, Girvan, John and the players will be later on this afternoon.

"We welcome [him] to the club. I think our supporters are going to be excited by this announcement and we wish him all the very best for the season ahead,"