Lancaster dismisses Leinster links and signals commitment to Connacht project

Stuart Lancaster has firmly ruled out a return to Leinster, telling media this week that no conversations have taken place between him and the province as they search for a successor to departing head coach Leo Cullen.

Lancaster, who turns 57 next month, is in the final year of his two-year contract at Connacht and had been cited in Irish rugby circles as a potential candidate for the Leinster role. He was unequivocal in shooting down the speculation.

“Honestly, I have not had any conversations with anyone from Leinster, either them ringing me or me ringing them, so there’s no communication there,” Lancaster said.

The Cumbrian-born coach spent nearly a decade at Leinster after rebuilding his reputation following England’s early exit from the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Appointed Leinster senior coach in 2016, he was a key part of the backroom staff that delivered four consecutive league titles and a Champions Cup in 2018 under Cullen.

Lancaster arrived at Connacht last summer after leaving Racing 92 and has won 10 of his 19 games in charge, guiding the province to the URC playoffs in his debut season with an eighth-place finish. He acknowledged that contract discussions with Connacht CEO Willie Ruane and IRFU performance director David Humphreys are ongoing, though nothing has been finalised.

“Nina and I certainly enjoy living in Galway,” he said. “We feel we are getting started on the project, and for me personally, I want to get my teeth into it. Things are looking good.”

His comments suggest a strong inclination to extend his stay in the west of Ireland rather than pursue a high-profile return to the province where he made his name. Lancaster was careful to frame any decision around aligning personal ambition with the club’s direction, describing the outlook as “generally positive.”

Connacht open their new URC campaign against the Stormers at the Dexcom Stadium in Galway on Friday. The sides last met in April, when Connacht scored three tries in the final 16 minutes to win 33-24.