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Ex-England boss Stuart Lancaster rules out Premiership return as Leinster staff sign contract extensions

(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Any possibility of former England head coach Stuart Lancaster returning to the Gallagher Premiership any time soon has been dashed after Leinster announced a fresh two-year extension for their coveted senior coach.

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Every time a top-flight vacancy has cropped up in the last number of years, Lancaster’s name has inevitably been linked with the position and it has been the same in recent months following the departure of Paul Gustard as the Harlequins director of rugby.

Lancaster, though, has always repeatedly stated how happy he has been working at Leinster, whom he initially joined in September 2016, and he will be now be at the Irish province until 2023 following his latest extension.

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Johnny Sexton looks ahead to Ireland’s Six Nations finale versus England

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Johnny Sexton looks ahead to Ireland’s Six Nations finale versus England

The ex-England coach, who was in charge of his country from 2012 through to the 2015 World Cup having previously coached Leeds in the Premiership, wasn’t the only management staff rewarded by the club that will seek to win a fourth Guinness PRO14 title in succession when they host Munster in Dublin on March 27.

Two-year extensions were also agreed with Felipe Contepomi and Robin McBryde, while a one-year extension was agreed with head coach Leo Cullen, who has been in the job since 2015. Leinster CEO Mick Dawson said: “The discussions with Leo, and indeed with all the coaches, have gone very smoothly and I would like to thank Leo and Stuart, Felipe and Robin for their patience and understanding in what is for everyone in society a challenging situation.

“Under Leo’s stewardship, the club has enjoyed unprecedented success reaching seven finals in that time, including Saturday week’s game against Munster, and of course there is still the small matter of a European season to conclude this year and a game with Toulon only weeks away.

“This success has been achieved in tandem with Stuart, Felipe and Robin and there was no hesitation on our part in offering them all extended terms and we very much look forward to working with them into the future.”

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Explaining the twelve-month difference in the length of contracts penned by Cullen and the other staff, Dawson added: “We offered Leo a two-year deal and were very happy to do so, but Leo, for his own personal reasons, has instead chosen a rolling one-year contract which we respect.

“It is very much our hope that Leo will sit down with us again next season and that he will indicate a willingness to commit for a second season, and we will discuss that possibility when the time is right.

“Until that time, we are delighted to have Leo on board and we look forward to working with him, with Stuart, Felipe and Robin and indeed with the rest of the coaching and backroom team to build on the fantastic work already underway.”

Cullen said: “As Mick has stated, I was offered a two-year extension but requested a one-year rolling extension instead. This is purely down to personal circumstances and I would like to thank the IRFU and Leinster for their understanding in that regard.

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“In saying that, I would like to reaffirm my absolute commitment to Leinster. Anyone who knows me will know that my loyalty lies here.”

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BH 53 minutes ago
TJ Perenara clarifies reference to the Treaty in All Blacks' Haka

Nope you're both wrong. Absolutely 100% wrong. You two obviously know nothing about NZ history, or the Treaty which already gives non-Māori "equal" rights. You are ignorant to what the Crown have already done to Māori. I've read it multiple times, attended the magnificent hikoi and witnessed a beautiful moment of Māori and non-Māori coming together in a show of unity against xenophobia and a tiny minority party trying to change a constitutional binding agreement between the Crown and Māori. The Crown have hundreds of years of experience of whitewashing our culture, trying to remove the language and and take away land and water rights that were ours but got stolen from. Māori already do not have equal rights in all of the stats - health, education, crime, etc. The Treaty is a binding constitutional document that upholds Māori rights and little Seymour doesn't like that. Apparently he's not even a Māori anyway as his tribes can't find his family tree connection LOL!!!


Seymour thinks he can change it because he's a tiny little worm with small man syndrome who represents the ugly side of NZ. The ugly side that wants all Māori to behave, don't be "radical" or "woke", and just put on a little dance for a show. But oh no they can't stand up for themselves against oppression with a bill that is a waste of time and money that wants to cause further division in their own indigenous country.


Wake up to yourselves. You can't pick and choose what parts of Māori culture you want and don't want when it suits you. If sport and politics don't mix then why did John Key do the 3 way handshake at the RWC 2011 final ceremony? Why is baldhead Luxon at ABs games promoting himself? The 1980s apartheid tour was a key example of sports and politics mixing together. This is the same kaupapa. You two sound like you support apartheid.

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