Stuart Lancaster has suddenly become the Alan Pardew of international rugby coaches.
The England head coach has been rewarded with a six-year extension of his contract by the RFU and, barring any complications between now and then, will preside over the national team at the 2019 World Cup, regardless of how England perform under his control at next year’s tournament.
While it is a huge vote of confidence in Lancaster’s abilities and reward for the job he’s done since taking over as interim coach at the end of 2011, it also evokes memories of a similarly lengthy contract (four years) awarded to Irish coach Eddie O’Sullivan ahead of the 2007 World Cup and we don’t need to be reminded what happened next.
Forwards coach Graham Rowntree, backs coach Andy Farrell and skills coach Mike Catt have all also been tied down until 2020 and commenting on the development, Chief Executive of the RFU Ian Ritchie said: “We are lucky to have a talented, committed and passionate coaching group.
“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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