Murray Kinsella reports from Bilbao
IT’S NOT DIFFICULT to remember Stuart Lancaster at the press conferences after England’s World Cup defeats to Wales and then Australia at the 2015 World Cup.
His cheeks reddened, his lips almost quivering with the strain of maintaining a poker face under the intense disappointment and the red-hot pressure that came with it.
That was the 48-year-old in the low points of his career and those memories made it impossible not to be pleased for Lancaster as he celebrated with Leinster’s coaching staff and players after last night’s dramatic Champions Cup win over Racing 92.
Even more heartwarming was the sight of Lancaster seeking out his family in the crowd and posing for photos with them and the trophy, sharing the moment of joy with the people who supported him through the dark days in 2015.
Written off as a failed coach at that stage, even ridiculed by some, Lancaster has bounced back in the most impressive style with Leinster.
“It means a huge amount to me, obviously, but it means a huge amount to my family and friends,” Lancaster told BT Sport in the immediate aftermath. “They were the ones who all stood by me in the tough times after the World Cup.
“They never once wavered in their belief in my ability and that’s the nice thing. I’m trying to find my wife, she’s here somewhere, and my son, and Sophie’s at home. It’s for them really.”
There were others who didn’t waver in their belief that Lancaster was a top-class coach in the wake of that World Cup.
Leinster understood that he had real coaching ability and certainly didn’t buy into the narrative that Lancaster was for the scrap heap because his England team had lost to Wales and Australia.
Famously, Johnny Sexton texted Lancaster after Leo Cullen had first contacted the Englishman, with the out-half stressing to Lancaster that he was wanted by Leinster’s players.
“I obviously spoke to Guy Easterby and Leo Cullen beforehand!” said Sexton, underlining that he had been part of a collective ploy to bring Lancaster to Leinster in 2016. “Well, I didn’t send randomly send him a text. It wasn’t divisive or anything.”
And speaking with the Champions Cup trophy sitting alongside him at San Mamés last night, Sexton highlighted why they had felt Lancaster was the perfect man to join Cullen’s coaching team.
“If you know rugby and you looked at England, he did an unbelievable job with that team,” said Sexton. “When he was in charge, they won four out of five games [in the Six Nations] two or three years in a row.
“We did it that for two years [2014 and 2015] and got two championships out of it.
“You look at the Wales game in the World Cup, the bounce of a ball and a decision on the halfway line that could go their way, Faz [Owen Farrell] could make the kick and England could win the World Cup.
“We found with Ireland against the teams that he coached that they were very hard to defend against. They were really hard to attack against too. He played a big part in that.
“If you take some of the media reaction about him leaving England away from it, he is obviously a very good coach. I had spoken to a few of the English guys, mainly the Farrells, they spoke of him very highly and that’s why I texted him really.”
Leinster spoke of their love affair with the Champions Cup last night, but there has definitely been a love affair for the players with Lancaster’s coaching too.
Their gushing praise for the Englishman has been a constant theme since he joined in September 2016, and the feeling has clearly been reciprocated.
While Cullen has taken care of the management duties and coaching of the forwards, Lancaster has guided Leinster’s attack and defence, as well as working closely with the players on technical and tactical skills.
Tuesday training sessions are generally the most important for any professional team and the fact that Leinster’s are known as ‘Stuesdays’ says a lot about his importance in this set-up.
The English media have continually linked Lancaster with a return to his native land as a head coach since the rebuilding of his reputation in their eyes, but he has continued to insist he is happy where he is.
Leinster are certainly happy they reached out when they did.
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I kind of feel bad for Cullen that all the talk seems to be about Lancaster. You could see how much this meant to Leo from the tears at full time.
@Sam Harms: Leo is a happy man! He knows what he has achieved. I don’t think he cares what the press says.
@grandslamkbo: I know that but they’re a coaching team so it would be nice for the press to reflect that not put all the focus on Lancaster
@Sam Harms: sky are always going to focus on the English aspect of any win
@Sam Harms: I think its the mark of Cullen that he is very happy for Lancaster to be lauded. They know what goes on behind the scenes and that Lancaster is in need of some redemption. The press never also talk about Fogarty, Dempsey etc.
@John O Reilly: In fairness, the42 and Irish outlets spend a lot of time on Lancaster, too. I fully understand the English position. Reasonable fans and pundits are aware that Lancaster is a superb manager and his rise back to the top is enjoyable for them.
@Sam Harms: Cullen has achieved something remarkable, with the best coaching team he could get. His record stands. I am sure that he is quite happy to ensure that Lancaster gets the praise he deserves.
@grandslamkbo: I’m not saying it isn’t, just that Leo deserves just as much credit. In fairness at the homecoming he spoke and Lancaster just stayed in the background and let Leo have his moment.
@John O Reilly: Do you mean like how the Irish focus has been on Ryan at Racing despite the fact he isn’t one of their key players?
@John O Reilly: all the players wax lyrical too about him and his input to their day to day training
@Andrew Hurley: Even though his own coaches say he is a very important player for them?
@Sam Harms: I too find it strange that 90% of the focus is on Lancaster. He’s clearly very important to the team but Leo deserves a ton of praise. Isn’t he the first guy to win it as both a coach and a player too? But then it’s a huge testament to the type of guy he is that he is happy to work in the background and let others take the praise. Shows why he was such a valued teammate and now coach by all he works with.
@John O Reilly: They are going to focus on their own or any chance of it.
@Sam Harms: Absolutely, but the press don’t give a continental! It’s pure sensationalism, suiting nothing but their own ends. Leo won’t bother about that. He’s done the job, why should he worry about what the press have to say about him.
It was certainly a risk to take him on board given the fact that most English clubs saw him as main reason the national side tanked , super move by Leinster , hope he stays and has continued success
Met him in Dublin after a Cup game. He was having a couple of pints in Fitzgerald’s. Extremely friendly, courteous and pleasant. He’s absolutely one of rugby’s nice guys. Even if you’re not a Leinster fan, it would be hard to begrudge him this moment. Rob Andrew is d*** of the highest order. I hope Lancaster sent him a selfie with him and the Cup.
@grandslamkbo: you only have to look at what both are doing now. Lancaster is coaching the best side in Europe while Andrew isn’t even working in rugby anymore.
@EK: Yeah, but Andrew is probably working on another book. He’s too busy to be in rugby.
You know (i could be wrong) i always had the feeling that Lancaster is the real coach. Leo is the face, the Irishman the IRFU would like to portray as the mastermind but to me Lancaster is the major cog in the engine. Take him out of the equation and Leinster may not have a European title. Just my opinion. Brilliant to see it all the same.
@Patrick McHugh: Maybe. But Leo picks the team, and Leo invested heavily in youth. The likes of Ringrose, Porter, Ryan, Larmour and Carbery. Had Leinster not sacked Matt O’Connor, Ireland wouldn’t have won the 6 Nations Grand Slam. Leo deserves so much respect and he clearly has no issue with bringing in people even if they have a higher profile. As a player and a manager, Leo has always put his teammates and the club first. We owe him a lot.
@grandslamkbo: totally agree. I admire the fact he has done what he did cause he did it for the benefit of the team. Leads by example and thats all one can ask.
@Patrick McHugh: yeah, take Leo out of the picture and there’s no EC either, there isn’t even a Lancaster. Lancaster is strategically responsible for a lot of what you see in attack and defense, but Leo is vital.
@Patrick McHugh: Like any good leadership team, its the blend of skills that matter. It takes a lot of courage and nous to admit you may not have all the technical expertise, and Leo demonstrated both when he brought SL on board.
If Joe does head back to NZ after the World Cup, he’d be a great replacement.
@Conor: that’s what all the tealeaves are showing
@Conor: Another Farrell-Lancaster team up?
Lancaster has been Leinsters best signing
Well done Leinster. Fully deserved.
Absolutely delighted for Lancaster. I really lked him as coach for England. The culture he brought to them was really admirable, even if the results didn’t go his way. I’ll admit, I was sceptical when Leo brought him into Leinster. But it was a stroke of genius.
I think the whole show is run by Lancaster. Leo is really just an administrative figurehead. He’s been very lucky that Lancaster arrived when he did as I don’t think he’d still be in the job if he hadn’t. That being said though ,They both are humble characters who deserve all the plaudits …. well done boys
How brilliant would it to see Lancaster, Leo and Andy Farrell guiding Ireland to a victory over England in the future. I wonder what would Rob Andrew have to say about that?
No you can’t have him back!!!!