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Stuart Lancaster has left Racing 92 effective immediately

Racing92's English coach Stuart Lancaster gestures prior to the French Top 14 rugby union match between Castres Olympique and Racing 92 at The Pierre-Fabre Stadium in Castres, south-western France on September 7, 2024. (Photo by Valentine CHAPUIS / AFP)

Stuart Lancaster has left his position as head coach of Racing 92 with immediate effect following a difficult run of form.

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While the French club have yet to confirm it, reports began swirling on Thursday night that the Englishman was set for a sudden exit. Planet Rugby reported this morning that they understood that he had left the club effective immediately and RugbyPass have since had the news confirmed.

The former England and Leinster coach departs the Parisian outfit midway through the 2024/25 campaign, with Racing 92 languishing in 12th place in the Top 14 after winning just five of their 15 league matches.

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France stun New Zealand – RWC 1999 semi final | RPTV

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      France stun New Zealand – RWC 1999 semi final | RPTV

      Jonah Lomu delivered a stunning performance in the 1999 Rugby World Cup semi-final, but France pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in rugby history. You can watch a full replay of the match on the new RugbyPass app.

      The club also struggled in European competition, winning only two of their five Investec Champions Cup pool matches before dropping into the Challenge Cup knockouts.

      Owen Farrell – who was the club’s marquee summer signing in 2024 – has been branded a flop which further damaged Lancaster’s chances of staying on in Paris. The former Leeds coach was also criticised in some quarters for starting his son [Dan Lancaster] at 10 during Farrell’s injury layoff.

      The 55-year-old’s departure is no surprise given it follows on the back of growing speculation over his future in recent months, with reports emerging earlier this week that Racing 92 were considering a coaching change. Former La Rochelle and Toulon coach Patrick Collazo is widely expected to take charge on an interim basis.

      Collazo – who began his coaching career with Racing 92’s academy – has been out of work since leaving Montpellier in 2023.

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      Lancaster has been linked with a return to Ireland with Munster. The Irish province are reportedly considering him as a potential replacement for Graham Rowntree.

      Lancaster had previously dismissed speculation over a move back to Ireland, labelling reports as “false” in an interview with French media.

      During his tenure at Leinster between 2016 and 2023, Lancaster was credited with helping shape the province into one of Europe’s dominant forces.

      The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) and Munster have yet to comment on whether Lancaster is under consideration. IRFU performance director David Humphreys last week stated that the search for Rowntree’s successor remained ongoing.

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      Racing 92 are next in action on February 15, when they face RC Vannes in a crucial Top 14 encounter as they look to move clear of the relegation battle.

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      Comments

      37 Comments
      O
      Oh no, not him again? 28 days ago

      Stuart Lancaster is not a politician. He reminds me of Ned Stark in more ways than one.

      B
      Bull Shark 28 days ago

      Fat. Transparent.

      J
      JW 28 days ago

      French rugby?

      S
      Sumkunn Tsadmiova 29 days ago

      The order of La Botte!

      M
      Mark 29 days ago

      French club owners are akin to premier football club owners, they don't hesitate to wield the axe if the results they perceive their squad deserves don't materialise.

      It's a tough coaching environment.

      J
      J Marc 29 days ago

      It depends of the club....

      Selecting your very ordinary own son is a tough coaching too. Not speaking a single word of french after a year and an half is not an evidence of involvment. After about the same time, Jack Willis speaks in french with referee as a captain. ROG is not Moliere, but he try hard...

      And for Racing, without Fickou and Le Garrec currently, it is not the same side . O Farrell has bien injured and not at his best for his return after beeing a ghost for the begining of the season .

      R
      RedWarrior 29 days ago

      It is notoriously difficult to succeed in France. Lancaster is a proven coach. I hope he comes back to Ireland.

      f
      fl 29 days ago

      he could make a decent B&I Lions attack coach!

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      Comments on RugbyPass

      R
      RedWarriors 3 minutes ago
      The Springbok selection experiment is far from over

      SA and NZ were the main countries “Whining” about the draw that put SA/NZ/IRE/FRA all on the same side of the draw. Ireland, France and Scotland are well used to it. Most countries have come face to face with the biased draw and scheduling many times since the RWC was inaugurated in 1987.

      Everyone agreed the draw was a farce , but yes someone had to pox their way through and that was SA. You get to play a France team in the QF before they have a knock out win under their belt. You won as the inferior team, the world saw that. If the draw had been harder for SA and you were scheduled to play Scotland the week before then you were out.

      England were stronger for most of the match with a 9 point lead with 10 to go. They will be massively disapointed to lose from there especially with the non peanalty awarded at the end.

      Lastly, you needed a red card to beat NZ. 100%. Not in doubt. It was a 1 point game. You were losing without the red.

      SA beat what was in front of them. Not in doubt. That they were lucky is not in doubt either. That the draw made the win significantly easier for SA to get past the QF, is not in doubt either. You play France in the SF or final, you are losing badly.

      ‘Butt hurt’? Thats an Americanism to imply homosexuality? On about raping women now lobbing homophobic comments. Some of you Saffers, past and present have a very very disturbing attitude…historically and present day.

      54 Go to comments
      N
      NB 2 hours ago
      Have England suddenly become a 'lucky' team?

      I think you need to look at some examples in order to get your facts straight.


      If you look at the second gif in the article https://imgur.com/a/6QNcVtB#NG27wFf , you can see that Scotland are running the shape I describe, and the ‘flat option’ does not actively impede a tackler so has no need to retreat.


      Ditto this one https://imgur.com/a/hNktXel#gbQSsT4 . There is no significant contact with a defender by the flat option, so why does it need to [over-]refereed?


      I feel you’re trying to address an issue that exists mostly in your own imagination, not one that exists out on the field of play.

      83 Go to comments
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