A devastated Stuart Lancaster has admitted, amid increasing speculation over his position, that he will never get over England’s crushing early elimination from the Rugby World Cup. As the Rugby Football Union’s chief executive, Ian Ritchie, announced a “360-degree” review to take place that could lead to Lancaster and his staff being sacked or redeployed, the head coach said his emotions were too raw to consider his own future.
“I don’t think I’ll ever come to terms with it, personally, because it was such a big thing. As a coach I’ve had some great moments coaching England and I’ve had some disappointing ones but this pales everything else into insignificance because of what the tournament means to everyone,” he said in the wake of England’s 33-13 dismantling by Australia.
“That’ll be the overriding emotion I’ll have for a long time, I think. I need some time, obviously Ian needs some time and the RFU does as well. I think we’ll make the right decision at the right time.”
Lancaster, widely praised for rebuilding passion in the England shirt and reconnecting the public in the wake of the controversies that plagued the 2011 World Cup side, faces big questions over his team selections and the fact his players have habitually fallen at their biggest hurdles.
By picking Sam Burgess at centre for the Wales game and dropping George Ford for Owen Farrell after the opening win over Fiji, Lancaster risked sparking division within the camp. He has also faced questions from inside and outside the set-up over his management style. “At the end of the day, I’m the head coach and we didn’t get out of the pool. It’s stating the obvious. It’s going to sit with us all forever – players, coaches, management,” a shaken Lancaster said.
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