blockhead wrote: ↑September 26th, 2022, 10:29 pm
From an English paper of note
Timing kind to attract Lancaster's successor
If the Leinster coach does leave then there are candidates out there to take over
Another season back at the RDS and this time with added attractions for Leinster fans. Before Friday night's victory over Benetton, season ticket holders got to hear the thoughts of Johnny Sexton, James Lowe and Tadhg Furlong in the impressive new fan zone at the Simmonscourt Road end. On the pitch, the excellence of new signing Jason Jenkins was overshadowed only by Dan Sheehan's four-try blitz.
Yet these were mere distractions from the main talking point of the week the departure to Racing 92 of Stuart Lancaster, who sat as usual with his colleagues in the Leinster coaches' box, albeit at a polite distance.
One frustration for supporters is the lack of clarity over the whys and wherefores of Lancaster leaving. Largely, this has been caused by the stark difference between the way that French and Irish clubs interact with their respective mainstream media.
In France, the relationship can seem remarkably free and easy, as information is leaked well in advance of official statements. The rationale is that by keeping media colleagues in the know, you ensure generous coverage and therefore sell more tickets. The ensuing good will means that the media will occasionally turn blind eyes to an unsavoury story. So the theory goes, anyway.
Hence the story of Lancaster signing a four-year deal being reported as fact in France, even though Leinster are saying that they haven't yet received definitive word from him. This, they say, is why they have not issued a statement beyond Leo Cullen's comments on Wednesday, when he dismissed press reports as "speculation".
The problem with the information gap is that it leaves players and fans guessing the reasons for Lancaster's departure. Has it anything to do with the fact that Leinster went without a trophy last season, for the first time in five years? Have Leinster been slow to react to news of Racing's interest, which was first reported in France as far back as July? This is a Leinster appointment, so the IRFU can't be blamed for any heel-dragging.
Our understanding is that Leinster haven't made any counter-offer, even though Lancaster is already in the final year of his deal. This makes it sound like they are unwilling to compete with a Top 14-sized contract. They may also have decided that after seven seasons, they will need a fresh voice.
If this feels like an awkward split, maybe it's worth remembering that it was an unconventional hook-up in the first place, largely brokered by a player Sexton who had just returned from the same Racing 92.
By sacking Matt O'Connor towards the end of the 2014/15 season without a ready-made successor, one of Europe's top clubs found themselves with a caretaker coach in Cullen, who had only recently retired.
It was through an unlikely set of coincidences that Lancaster ended up commuting to Dublin from Leeds, initially as defence coach. He has ended up in an unusual position
the dominant figure when it comes to team preparation, yet subordinate to Cullen, who carries the title of head coach while doing more of a directorof-rugby role.
There is some speculation that Leinster will struggle to attract another high-pedigree coach to a position that does not offer real autonomy, given Cullen's position as overseer, and also given the preeminence of the national team within the Irish system.
But this is a good time to be going to the market place. Lots of Test quality coaches will be out of contract at the end of the World Cup and lots of them will be happy to take a tracksuit role at a club that enjoys a steady stream of top-quality local talent. Leinster may not be able to match Jacky Lorenzetti's numbers but they will pay well and the new chief executive Shane Nolan who starts his role in November will surely want to land a big fish.
One frustration for supporters is the lack of clarity over the whys and wherefores of Lancaster leaving. Largely, this has been caused by the stark difference between the way that French and Irish clubs interact with their respective mainstream media.
I don't think there's any frustration tbh, I think most of us understand that coaches move on, I mean when Stu came on board our coaching team was Leo Cullen, Stu Lancaster, Girve Dempsey, John Fogarty and Richie Murphy of that 5, two remain. Dr Phil came in to replace Girve and in turn he has moved on to be replaced by Andrew Goodman, John Fogarty moved on to be replaced by Robin McBryde, Richie Murphy moved on to be replaced by Emmet Farrell and we picked up Denis Leamy as a contact skills coach who has also moved on to be replaced by Sean O'Brien.
there is nothing in there to suggest to a fan that Stu Lancaster would be staying on forever - in fact he's in what his 7th season now which seems a lot longer than most have.
The problem with the information gap is that it leaves players and fans guessing the reasons for Lancaster's departure. Has it anything to do with the fact that Leinster went without a trophy last season, for the first time in five years? Have Leinster been slow to react to news of Racing's interest, which was first reported in France as far back as July?
I don't think anyone is actually guessing the reason for Lancaster's departure - it's probably four or five reasons. Where he is in his family life with the kids now in college, a chance to live in Paris which is a great city, probably a pretty big cheque book to sign players and a chance to try to implement his vision on a team of galactic. You then have to factor in the dumptruck full of cash they also reversed up and emptied onto his driveway.
But this is a good time to be going to the market place. Lots of Test quality coaches will be out of contract at the end of the World Cup and lots of them will be happy to take a tracksuit role at a club that enjoys a steady stream of top-quality local talent.
if the past is anything to go by Leinster Rugby will most likely be looking at a good quality assistant coach who is looking to develop their career in one of the best shop windows in European or world rugby.