Online reaction to Stuart Lancaster’s appointment at Leinster Rugby

Hi there we have our Leinster v Treviso Monday writeup in the pipeline but this news has kind of hit us from left field and the phone has been going mad with emails, tweets, Whatsapp notifications and such so we thought we’d cover this first.

Here is what the official statement from Leinster Rugby said :

Ahead of the Round 2 Guinness PRO12 game against Glasgow Warriors on Saturday in Scotstoun (Kick Off: 3.00pm - live on SKY Sports) Leinster Rugby have this morning confirmed the appointment of Stuart Lancaster to the senior coaching team.

Speaking to leinsterrugby.ie Leinster Rugby Head Coach Leo Cullen said, "The sad departure of Kurt McQuilkin due to family reasons has brought about an opportunity to bring in somebody new to the Leinster Rugby coaching team.

"Stuart brings a wealth of experience and is a highly respected figure in world rugby. We are all looking forward to having Stuart join our team and together helping the players maximise their potential as a group.”
 
Leinster Rugby CEO Mick Dawson confirmed that former England head coach Lancaster would join the Leinster Rugby coaching team as a Senior Coach with immediate effect until the end of the season.
 
Commenting on the appointment Dawson said, "We are always looking at options around resources but once we were made aware of Kurt McQuilkin's departure, we narrowed our focus and we are delighted that Stuart has agreed to come on board.

"I know, having spoken at length to Stuart, that he is excited by the challenge of getting into club rugby again and the day to day interaction with players. His first session with Leo, Girvan, John and the players will be later on this afternoon.

"We welcome Stuart to the club. I think our supporters are going to be excited by this announcement and we wish him all the very best for the season ahead.”
 
Lancaster, 46, is a former Leeds Tykes player and played representative rugby with Scotland at age grade level. Having been forced to retire due to injury at the age of 30, the qualified teacher moved into coaching and had roles with the Leeds Academy and Leeds Carnegie before being appointed as the RFU's Head of Elite Player Development in 2008 which included coaching the England Saxons.
 
He was appointed to the role of England head coach in 2011 and led the team through four 6 Nations campaigns and a Rugby World Cup in 2015.
 Since leaving his position with the English team in 2015, Lancaster has had short term roles with the Atlanta Falcons, with British Cycling's world-class performance programme, with the English FA and most recently with Counties Manukau in the Mitre 10 Cup in New Zealand. 

Now, for some social media reactions (listed in no particular order)…

Very interesting to see Stuart Lancaster has joined @leinsterrugby as a 'senior coach'. https://t.co/8v9hlMYIgu

— The Rugby Pod (@The_RugbyPod) September 5, 2016

Stuart Lancaster takes up a coaching position at Leinster. England's former coaching team all now in new positions.

— Alex Shaw (@alexshawsport) September 5, 2016

That is a coup and a half by @leinsterrugby pic.twitter.com/cOhh7sxUCx

— Damien O'Meara (@damien_omeara) September 5, 2016

I did not see that coming #Lancaster

— (((B.H. Hooker))) (@BHHooker) September 5, 2016

Stuart Lancaster joining Leinster until the end of the season.

Well I didn't see that one coming!

— Darren (@Tazman77) September 5, 2016

Spike in sales in the Irish market today pic.twitter.com/sm5v3gK2sL

— Rúaidhrí O'Connor (@RuaidhriOC) September 5, 2016

I for one, am excited to have Lancaster involved in Irish rugby. He is a genuine innovator, a hands on coach, just he kind of guy we need

— Manus Lappin (@EmeraldRugby) September 5, 2016

Stuart Lancaster is a man who believes that culture underpins everything in rugby.

Johnny Sexton questioned #Leinster's culture this year.

— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) September 5, 2016

@HarpinOnRugby random...

— Mark Jackson (@markusjacksonus) September 5, 2016

@HarpinOnRugby That's out of left field. Amazing no one in the media leaked the news.

— (((Kevin))) (@marywards) September 5, 2016

@marywards @HarpinOnRugby he'll be pissed when he's offered the Toulon job next week then!

— conorgmcnamara (@conorgmcnamara) September 5, 2016

Andy Farrell and Stuart Lancaster now both in senior coaching positions in Irish rugby.
The demise of Irish rugby is imminent.

— Chloe Doyle (@ImChloeD) September 5, 2016

Many fans of Leinster very happy with the appointment of Stuart Lancaster this morning. Have to admit, I'm finding it hard to fathom why...

— Kristian Ross (@Kristian7Ross) September 5, 2016

With Stuart Lancaster joining Leinster now, does that mean we've got a better shot at snatching Graham Henry...?#AskingForAFriend #MrMB

— #RugbyToulon (@rugbytoulon_) September 5, 2016

@MichaelC_RTE @leinsterrugby @RTErugby How do you reckon that's a fantastic appt? Are we getting all the English rejects over here?

— EM (@mondo9b) September 5, 2016

Here at Harpin Manor, we’re seeing this as a positive.  No doubt SL is a good coach, and it could well work for him to get the job done in the background while Leo does the press conferences and what-not.  But time will tell as to how the dynamic unfolds.  JLP

#COYBIB