Lancaster named England coach

Lancaster named England coach

29 Mar 2012

Stuart Lancaster has beaten Nick Mallett to the England post.

The Rugby Football Union board met on Thursday morning to ratify the decision. Mallett, the former Springbok and Italy coach, was told on Wednesday morning that his application was unsuccessful.

RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie put forward Lancaster’s name to the board for final approval. Lancaster and Mallett were interviewed last Thursday, but it is thought Lancaster’s all-round performance in the Six Nations (England won four of five matches) swayed the decision his way.

‘I am immensely honoured and proud to accept this role,’ said Lancaster, who will hold the position until after the 2015 World Cup. ‘We have a massive task ahead of us in South Africa and we have 37 games before that first World Cup match on home soil, so every second counts in developing players who can win that tournament – which has to be the ultimate aim.’

Forwards coach Graham Rowntree is expected to remain part of Lancaster’s team but it is not known whether Andy Farrell will be released by his club, Saracens.

According to the BBC website, the players all backed the decision to retain Lancaster after the Six Nations.

‘We spoke to him at the end [of the Six Nations] and I think he was absolutely exhausted because he left no stone unturned in terms of creating an environment and an atmosphere that was akin to a club,’ said loose forward Phil Dowson.

England will play South Africa in the first of three Tests in Durban on 9 June. The subsequent matches will be played in Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.


57 Comments

  • 1.Papoose: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 08:42 am

    Red rosed DRAGON!

  • 2.houston, we have a problem...: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 09:07 am

    not good enough.
    expect another four year campaign of mediocre showings.

  • 3.NoRugbyGuru_0_: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 10:17 am

    Great news, Boks can rest easy knowing one week of training before June test will be more than enough to beat poms.

  • 4.pompies2: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 10:32 am

    any bets on Mallet going to the scots? seems they will be sans coach very soon. I reckon a cleanout at WP could see a return of ‘the special one’ ala Mourinho to chelsea.

  • 5.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 10:39 am

    @pompies2(pompies2)-4: mallett will head to france if spurned by the poms

  • 6.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 10:41 am

    @NoRugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-3: will be interesting to see the aftermath is heyneke gets klapped by lancaster

  • 7.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 10:44 am

    @pompies2(pompies2)-4:

    surely coaching the scots would be a step backwards after coaching Italy?

  • 8.SHARKattack: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 10:44 am

    @Transformation(Transformation)-5: why do you say so bra?

  • 9.pompies2: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 10:47 am

    @Transformation(Transformation)-5: you reckon? as a club coach? don’t know if anyone else heard what he said when commenting on one of the 6 nations games. He reckons that politics played a big role in deciding to go with Saint Andre as coach, because the best coach in france is galthie. Is this because of their relationship going back to their Stade Francais days. I don’t see any vacancies opening up amongst the top teams in France at the moment.

  • 10.pompies2: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 10:48 am

    @the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-7: LOL. The whiskey will cure that disappointment.

  • 11.motomouse: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 10:49 am

    Any why would he not get the job, this is England we’re talking about, the guy did very well in the 6 Nations getting the team to second place, with a very young squad. This is not SARU who get rid of successful coaches (Jake White). As much as I love to see England lose you have to give this man credit for what he accomplished, not dump him.

  • 12.SHARKattack: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 10:49 am

    Alister is going to be around for some time here in the cape. He just needs to fire Fleck and get a proper backline coach or an attack specialist then everything will be in the balance.

  • 13.SHARKattack: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 10:52 am

    @motomouse(motomouse)-11: Bullsh-it!

  • 14.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 10:54 am

    @pompies2(pompies2)-10:

    he’ll need that to cope with the weather.

  • 15.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 10:55 am

    @SHARKattack(mabu)-8: @pompies2(pompies2)-9: that’s what he said after the world cup when he was asked about the bok job…said there were plenty offers from france and he wouldn’t mind but was taking the 6 months holiday no matter what.

  • 16.pompies2: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 10:58 am

    @the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-14: It will be interesting to see where he ends up. i don’t suppose he’ll be hard up and washing your windscreen at the robots, but he’ll feel like he needs to be in rugby. it is my wish that AC gets turfed along with fleckie. proudfoot gets a stay of execution.

    If you look just across the railway line, successful coaches were fired for less, after they had won more.

  • 17.pompies2: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 11:00 am

    @Transformation(Transformation)-15: will he risk his reputation of taking another hiding to nothing job. If you are just as good as your last performance, it would be mighty risky to have 2 misses in the coaching stakes.

  • 18.houston, we have a problem...: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 11:01 am

    Stuart Lancaster to be named permanent England coach by RFU

    Stuart Lancaster is to be named permanent England head coach by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) on Thursday.

    The 42-year-old was interim boss for the Six Nations, after Martin Johnson resigned, and led England to second place with four wins from five matches.

    Lancaster had been interviewed for the role, along with former South Africa coach Nick Mallett.

    His appointment, subject to RFU Board approval, is set to be confirmed at a media conference on Thursday afternoon.

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/17547312

  • 19.PaulLondon: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 11:02 am

    Just been confirmed, Lancaster has been appointed coach.

  • 20.PaulLondon: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 11:03 am

    You beat me to it Houston :-)

  • 21.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 11:05 am

    @pompies2(pompies2)-16:

    indeed.

    Mallet’s stay at Province was a tempestuous one though.

    I honestly would be suprised if he took another job in SA rugby.

    Sad though.

  • 22.XV: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 11:14 am

    some of you are being quire arrogant here….. Lancaster did a fantastic job in the 6 Nations. He reminds me a bit of Jake White when he took over the Boks in 2004.

    Remember Mallet making a forward a scrumhalf for a 6 nations game and dropping Teichmann just before RWC? Do not get me wrong I do rate Mallet but he is not perfect.

  • 23.XV: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 11:17 am

    and while I am here….would it not be great if we got Mallet and White back coaching SA’n super 15 teams?

  • 24.houston, we have a problem...: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 11:18 am

    @PaulLondon(PaulLondon)-20:
    thats right, london :grin:

  • 25.pompies2: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 11:23 am

    @the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-21: true, you’ll never win fighting drunkards.

  • 26.motomouse: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 11:26 am

    @SHARKattack(mabu)-13: I’m glad you are able to articulate yourself so well. As a Shark fan I see why fans of other teams think we’re all idiots

  • 27.houston, we have a problem...: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 11:43 am

    @motomouse(motomouse)-26:
    no, we just think you’re all idiots because you’re all idiots… :lol:

  • 28.Kea-Cat: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 11:47 am

    What has AC got to do with the England job?

  • 29.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 11:56 am

    @Kea-Cat(KEA)-28: AC has everything to do with the England job :D

  • 30.cane: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 11:58 am

    Am I the only one who thinks Blondie in the Sharenet Advert,
    at the top of the page,
    would look really good naked?

  • 31.Beertjie: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 12:03 pm

    @cane(cane)-30: Book your seat now

  • 32.cane: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 12:04 pm

    @Transformation(Transformation)-29:

    What is a ” peado “?

    Or am I a better human being for never knowing?

  • 33.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 12:07 pm

    @cane(cane)-32: it’s a speedo without the s..

    8)

  • 34.houston, we have a problem...: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 12:07 pm

    @Beertjie(Beertjie)-31: @Beertjie(Beertjie)-31:
    :lol:

  • 35.race of tan: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 12:22 pm

    GLad Lancaster got the job. England are looking their best again. The series in SA will be tuff.
    SA need to get Mallet back.
    Why can’t Heneke and Mallet work together?

  • 36.race of tan: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 12:25 pm

    XV – Actually before Mallet coached the Boks he was coach of Boland and they were rather good under him!! Would be nice to see him coach an SA S15 side. I would rather Mallet be used by Heyneke in some capacity

  • 37.houston, we have a problem...: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 12:26 pm

    @race of tan(race of tan)-35:
    true, better to hobble them.

  • 38.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 12:36 pm

    @cane(cane)-30: I can’t see that ad. All I get is the futuristic blonde Cybermetals chick trying to flog rugby coins.

    Who the fck buys these things anyway?

  • 39.Papoose: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 12:39 pm

    hmmm, i wonder if they’ll rue this decision, well Lancaster did have the momentum on his side

  • 40.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 12:53 pm

    hhmm, when john kirwan said he wanted the job, the poms said he doesn’t have enough international experience and now they go and give it to a guy who has even less international experience snubbing mallett who has equalled the record for the longest test winning streak :D

    hehehe poms at their best.

  • 41.PaulLondon: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 13:18 pm

    @40 Transformation-
    I wouldn’t call it a snubbing.
    Having not long returned to SA from Italy. Mallet reluctance up sticks again and move his family back to europe.

  • 42.greatest13gerber: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 13:20 pm

    we will put 50 on poms

    overconfident and arrogant

  • 43.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 14:32 pm

    The Sharks will soon be looking for a head coach.

    Mallett will no doubt be attracted to working for one of the biggest clubs in world rugby, the Sharks.

    Make it happen.

  • 44.sixnations: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 15:01 pm

    England did extremely well so far.
    Mallett loves his parties, wine and women too much which is not good for the England RFU’s reputation

  • 45.sixnations: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 15:15 pm

    @SHARKattack(mabu)-8: @pompies2(pompies2)-9: Mallett said he is taking time off because of family issues and probably a break from all his parties in Italy with the latin women.

  • 46.motomouse: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 15:25 pm

    @houston, we have a problem…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-27: Whatever!

  • 47.lazarus: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 15:41 pm

    how!if England does need him
    WHY DO YOU THINK MY SHARKS NEED HIM?maybe Sale Sharks want him

  • 48.ufo: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 15:55 pm

    Congratulations to lancaster…

    Well deserved appointment…

    Also perhaps the least arrogant pommie coach for a little while… perhaps since the game began…

    Good luck to him…! (after the boks have brought his honeymoon to a bumpy end… :wink: )

  • 49.ufo: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 16:01 pm

    perfect example of how to grab an opportunity with both hands…

    well done…

  • 50.Hondo: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 18:47 pm

    Mallet would have been a better prospect for the Poms, but in fairness, the FRU had to pick Lancaster after an exceptional 6 Nations campaign
    It probably all depends on the SA tour and the subsequent EOYT results, if the Poms will be whacked then, Mallett and Smith would be the coaches

  • 51.XV: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 18:50 pm

    @race of tan(race of tan)-35: totally agree…..imagine Mallet working with Meyer. Dream team in my opinion.

  • 52.David: Reply to this comment
    29 Mar 2012, 19:34 pm

    @Hondo(Hondo)-50:
    Lancaster may still choose Smith as his attacking coach.

    @XV(XV)-51:
    A recipe for disaster rather, if Mallet had to work under Meyer. Can’t ever see it happening, though. Mallet would never accept it. :lol:

  • 53.PrickBoks going South: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2012, 00:31 am

    Great name for Pommie coach !

    poor knut will be crucified by their press.

  • 54.PrickBoks GoingSouth: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2012, 09:40 am

    @PrickBoks going South(PrickBoks going South)-53: shaddap twat

  • 55.PrickBoks going South: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2012, 11:14 am

    Yappie pretending to be a Pom

    it’s like an Muslim mimicking a Jew

    A lose-lose result

  • 56.cab: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2012, 23:49 pm

    Hey Yappie chapie fkoff knobhead, get on bbc sports or something u pommie prick

  • 57.cab: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2012, 23:51 pm

    Wondered where u from it now makes perfect sense

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