A contender for the Wales job has decided to go elsewhere
Former England boss Stuart Lancaster has been named head coach of Irish province Connacht.
Lancaster was heavily linked with the vacant Wales head coach role and was also touted for as director of rugby before the Welsh Rugby Union appointed Dave Reddin. The 55-year-old has been out of work since leaving French giants Racing 92 earlier this year.
Lancaster is highly rated in coaching circles and as well as being linked with Wales has openly admitted he was was interviewed for the Australia job before losing out to Les Kiss.
The search for Warren Gatland’s long-term successor as head coach of Wales is ongoing with the WRU hoping to make an announcement in the near future. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
Cardiff boss Matt Sherratt will lead Wales on an interim basis to Japan this summer where he will be joined by Danny Wilson (forwards), Gethin Jenkins (defence), T. Rhys Thomas (skills) and Adam Jones (scrum).
Lancaster was head coach of England when they got knocked out of their home Rugby World Cup in 2015 after a famous defeat to Wales at Twickenham.
Lancaster has since rebuilt his coaching reputation following a successful seven-year stint at Leinster. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
“Connacht is a club with a proud identity, a passionate supporter base and enormous potential both on and off the field, so I’m honoured and humbled to be given the opportunity to lead the professional men’s team programme,” he said.
“I’m a firm believer in creating an environment that enables players to thrive and realise their potential, while playing a brand of rugby that inspires the community of which they represent. Join WalesOnline Rugby’s WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
“Ever since my initial conversations with Willie [Ruane, Connacht chief executive], David [Humphreys, IRFU performance director] and the rest of the selection committee, it’s clear that same belief exists here in Connacht, and that’s why I’m so excited by this opportunity.”
