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Stuart Lancaster Racing 92 exit rumours wide of the mark
By Josh Raisey
RugbyPass understands from well-placed sources close to Racing 92 that head coach Stuart Lancaster is staying firmly put in Paris despite rumours suggesting otherwise.
There had been speculation in the press this week that the former England boss was unhappy with his current situation with the Top 14 outfit and eyeing the Munster head coach role, but that is believed to be entirely false.
Moreover, the reported meeting that was held on Thursday was actually a Christmas lunch, and any board meetings had nothing to do with the head coach.
Lancaster left Leinster in 2023 after a trophy-laden seven years in Dublin, and is only a year-and-a-half into a four-year deal in the French capital, which he has every intention to see out. Given his history with Leinster, a move to Munster would have been controversial.
While there had been rumours that the Racing players were unhappy with Lancaster selecting his son, Dan, a former England U20 international, the club are of course without Owen Farrell currently, who would be the club's first choice in normal circumstances.
Following two rounds of Investec Champions Cup action, where Racing recorded a victory over Harlequins and a loss to Sale Sharks, they will turn their attention back to the Top 14 for the coming weeks, with a trip to Montpellier on Saturday before hosting Lyon at La Defense Arena a week later.
The Parisian giants currently sit in eighth place in the league, with five wins from 11 matches.
Meanwhile, Munster remain in the hunt for a long-term successor to head coach Graham Rowntree, who was sacked in October. Ian Costello has taken on the role on an interim basis, while former Northampton Saints boss Chris Boyd has joined in a consultancy role. What seems certain is that Lancaster will not be moving to Thomond Park.
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Latest Comments
What is clear is that the current situation is not sustainable
-SA sides travelling back and forth In Europe on successive weekends before playing big URC matches means they have to rest players somewhere or lose them for big matches in either comp
-European sides traveling to SA one week and playing in Europe the next is a huge disadvantage for them as well compared to those sides who just stay in Europe and they have to manage player loads as well
-Springbok players currently play the year round and must be rested during the regular season according to player welfare regulations and the national teams mandated rest periods. This means the franchises have to choose when and where they will rest players which puts them on the back foot and leads to them prioritising either the URC or European comps
-The Currie Cup is essential because it provides a pathway for provincial teams and young players but it means anyone who plays in Currie Cup and in URC plays the year round and wears out players
-The Rugby Championship means that while Europeans players are resting the Springboks are playing and with injuries occurring many SA teams lose their best and brightest.
The Sharks showed what you can do when you go full tilt in Europe when they won the Challenge Cup by keeping players fresh and fit for the whole comp. SA sides can do well in Europe but they must start prioritising it. Something has to be done to get players to the levels they need to be. Perhaps SA derbies in December and January is not the best idea, perhaps have European fixtures stand alone in the Calendar during December and Jan is what SA sides need to put their best players in and try to win those games and get the best seeding for the knockouts. SA derbies can be played during the Six Nations or some other window which takes some pressure off the season but this can only happen if the URC allows it. What is clear is that Europe does not need to change for SA and if they do it has to be on their terms. SA must find a way to adapt and address this latest problem or they must opt out of European comps altogether. They have earned their keep in the URC. That is their bread and butter. Now they need to earn their keep in Europe or just stick with the URC. The choice is theirs.
Go to commentsTook me about as long as you last in bed - 2 seconds. You've taken the bait hook, line and sinker. It's so easy fishing up you keyboard warriors who get upset at every comment.
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