STUART LANCASTER HAS extended his contract as England head coach until 2020.

Lancaster and his coaching team have agreed a new RFU deal which will take them through to the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan and beyond.

Forwards coach Graham Rowntree, backs coach Andy Farrell and attacking skills coach Mike Catt will all remain part of the backroom staff.

Lancaster, who was initially appointed on an interim basis in 2011, has led England to three straight second-place finishes in the RBS 6 Nations as well as a famous win against New Zealand in 2012.

He said: “While our focus is on the QBE International against New Zealand and the 2015 World Cup on home soil will be a once-in-a lifetime opportunity, we want to build a team for England Rugby that leads into Japan in 2019 and beyond.

We believe that England Rugby is moving in the right direction, we have the right coaching and management team to do take us forward and are excited about the challenge ahead.”

Chief executive Ian Ritchie explained the RFU’s decision to tie the coaching staff down to a long-term deal.

Coaching at international level is unique in that the time Stuart and the coaches have with the players is limited and in that regard it requires a special and stable coaching team.

“We therefore felt it important to secure their long-term future and we believe this is entirely the right decision for the future of England Rugby.”

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