England Review Ends Lancaster Tenure

Stuart Lancaster has left his post as England coach following the team's early exit from the World Cup.

England became the first host nation to be eliminated in the group stages when they lost matches to Wales and Australia in Pool A.

"I ultimately accept and take responsibility for the team's performance," said Lancaster.

Lancaster, 46, was made permanent coach in 2012 and won 28 of his 46 games, but failed to win the Six Nations.

"I took on the role in difficult circumstances and it has been a huge challenge to transition the team with many hurdles along the way," he added.

"However, I am immensely proud of the development of this team and I know that there is an incredibly strong foundation for them to progress to great things in the future.

"We have played some excellent rugby and it was always going to be tough to get the right level of experience into them in time for 2015. It is a young group of players with the huge majority available for the World Cup in Japan in 2019, where I believe their recent experience will make them genuine contenders."

Lancaster has won 28 (61%) and drawn one of his 46 Tests, losing 17

A review into England performance at the World Cup took place after the tournament, with Rugby Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie stating that Lancaster agreed he should step down from his role.

''The Rugby World Cup was hugely disappointing for everyone associated with the England team and the subsequent review into the team's performance was always intended to be extremely comprehensive, which it has been," said Ritchie.

"Following the review, Stuart and I met, where we agreed that he should step down as head coach. This was subsequently ratified by the RFU board."

He added: "Despite the results during this World Cup he has much to be proud of, and has embedded a new group of players that will be representing England for a long time to come. Looking forward, we will leave no stone unturned to ensure England achieves sustained success in the future."

There is no word yet from the RFU on the future of Lancaster's coaching team of Andy Farrell, Graham Rowntree and Mike Catt. The full World Cup review will be presented to an RFU board meeting on 17 November.

The search will then begin for a replacement for Lancaster in time for next year's Six Nations.

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Italian Rugby Eyes are Smiling

Harlequins director of rugby, Conor O’Shea, will become the new head coach of the Italian national team in June.

The Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) announced on Friday the 45-year-old former Ireland full-back would succeed Jacques Brunel on a four-year contract. O’Shea, who led Quins to the Premiership title in 2012, will take the former England player and coach Mike Catt to Rome as his attack coach..

O’Shea had been strongly linked to the Italy job for several months, so his appointment comes as no surprise. His first task will be to help oversee Italy’s summer tour to Argentina, the United States and Canada.

The Azzurri finished bottom of the Six Nations table in 2016 – the 11th time in 17 appearances they have collected the wooden spoon. They conceded 224 points and 29 tries in five games, while in their final two fixtures against Ireland and Wales they were beaten 58-15 and 67-14 respectively.

In a statement posted on the Italian Rugby Federation and Harlequins websites, O’Shea said: “As I said when I announced that I would be leaving, I feel the end of this season is the right time for me to take on a new challenge. And I am honoured, humbled and excited that I will be working with everyone in Italian rugby to ensure they can achieve on the undoubted potential they have as a rugby nation.

“I spent many years in the 1990s playing against a great Italian side, and I know there is the ability and will within this current group of players and the FIR to ensure that the current team can become the best Italian team in its history. But that is for another time. For me now, there is a job to finish at Harlequins and to see if we can add some more silverware to the trophy cabinet at this great club. I will say my goodbyes then and not before.”

Harlequins have said they will announce a new director of rugby “in due course” and will not make any further comment until such time.

Catt returns to rugby after leaving his post as an England skills coach in December, following the host nation’s 2015 World Cup flop when they failed to progress beyond the pool stage. Catt, Andy Farrell and Graham Rowntree all departed the RFU, with the new England head coach, Eddie Jones, recruiting Steve Borthwick and Paul Gustard to work with him.

Stephen Aboud, currently the Irish Rugby Football Union’s head of technical direction, has also been appointed by Italy as head of training from 1 August.

The FIR president, Alfredo Gavazzi, said: “The appointment of this new head coach, his assistant and the head of training is a crucial turning point for the Italian Rugby Federation. We have identified three of the highest-profile figures, three men who are in possession of what we believe are the most suitable qualities that can contribute to the development of our team.

“O’Shea is a coach with a record of success on the pitch and strong managerial skills, who will add extra value to all the various components of the Italian rugby setup. We are excited to give Conor, Mike Catt and Stephen Aboud, who will play a crucial role in the development of Italian rugby, a warm welcome.”

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Andy Farrell Joins Ireland Defence

Andy Farrell has been named as Ireland’s new defence coach less than a month after he was sacked as England’s assistant coach.

A statement from the Irish Rugby Football Union confirmed that the 40-year-old will take up his post after the Six Nations. The IRFU said Farrell’s contract would commence ahead of the June tour to South Africa and run until the completion of World Cup 2019 in Japan.

“The Irish RugbyFootball Union today announced the appointment of Andy Farrell as Ireland defence coach. Andy will take up the role with the national team following the 2016 RBS 6 Nations Championships,” read the statement.

“It’s great to have Andy coming into our coaching team,” said head coach Joe Schmidt. The quality of his delivery and breadth of his experience as well as the positive impact he had when coaching a number of our senior players during the 2013 Lions tour will add real value for us.”

Farrell added: “To have this opportunity to work with a very talented management and playing group really excites me. With a wealth of top class experienced senior players and a fantastic crop of youngsters pushing hard the future is very positive for Irish rugby and I can’t wait to get started.”

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