Lancaster appointed England coach

Stuart Lancaster has been confirmed as the head coach of England following his team’s successful Six Nations campaign, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) announced yesterday.

Lancaster’s appointment came after the 42-year-old saw off stiff competition from former South Africa and Italy coach Nick Mallett.

News of Lancaster’s confirmation as head coach follows England’s impressive performances in the Six Nations, which saw them finish runners-up to Grand Slam winners Wales after winning four out of five matches.

Lancaster’s contract, which runs until 2016, means he has been given the job of overseeing England’s campaign when they stage the 2015 Rugby World Cup

An RFU statement said: “Stuart Lancaster was today (yesterday) appointed England rugby head coach until the end of January 2016.”

It added he became permanent head coach with “immediate effect” following “unanimous RFU board ratification”.

Lancaster’s first series in his new full-time role will be England’s three-Test tour of South Africa in June.

Lancaster said: “I am immensely honoured and proud to accept this role. From the hundreds of messages I received during the Six Nations I know what supporting England means to millions of people and I am privileged to be involved.

“The players, coaches and the management were superb during the tournament and it’s down to them that we made such positive steps from when we first met up in Leeds.

“The challenge now is to take this squad and the players we will see emerge forward to 2015. It is one that I can’t wait to get stuck into.

“We have a massive task ahead of us in South Africa this summer and we have 37 games before that first World Cup match on home soil, so every second counts in developing players who can win that tournament – which has to be the ultimate aim.”