Stuart Lancaster lined up for England return following Racing sacking

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Stuart Lancaster: Redemption mission after Racing 92 exit?
A man who has seen both the highs and lows of rugby coaching, Lancaster’s career has been a rollercoaster ride. The 54-year-old first rose to prominence as England’s head coach between 2012 and 2015, taking over after the debacle of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

He oversaw the development of a young squad featuring the likes of Owen Farrell and George Ford but is best remembered for England’s disastrous 2015 World Cup campaign, where they became the first host nation to crash out at the pool stage.

Following his England exit, Lancaster rebuilt his reputation with an acclaimed tenure at Leinster, serving as senior coach from 2016 to 2022. He played a key role in developing Ireland’s next generation of stars, helping the Irish giants claim multiple domestic and European titles. His return to a top job came in 2022 when he joined Racing 92, but things quickly unraveled. His tenure in Paris ended abruptly last month with the club languishing in 13th place in the Top 14, bringing his time in France to a premature and unceremonious conclusion.

Now, Lancaster could be set for a return to English rugby after a decade away as Leicester weigh up their next move.

Paul Gustard: The defensive mastermind with Leicester roots
Gustard, meanwhile, is a name that Leicester fans already know well. The 49-year-old spent five seasons at Welford Road as a flanker before stints with London Irish and Saracens, where he transitioned into coaching.

He made his name as a defensive specialist, earning widespread praise for his work at Saracens under Mark McCall, helping build the defensive system that powered the club’s dominance. That expertise earned him a spot on Eddie Jones’ England coaching team in 2016, where he served as defence coach during the team’s 18-game winning streak and a Six Nations Grand Slam.

After leaving England, Gustard took the reins at Harlequins as head coach, but his tenure was mixed, and he departed midway through their eventual 2021 Premiership-winning campaign. Since then, he has rebuilt his career in France, first as defence coach at Stade Français before being promoted to head coach this season. However, his side currently sits bottom of the Top 14, despite boasting the league’s best defensive record last year.

Two-horse race—but could there be a wildcard?
Reports suggest that Gustard and Lancaster are now the clear front-runners for the Leicester job, with former Munster boss and Tigers legend Graham Rowntree slipping down the pecking order. An overseas candidate is still in the mix, but all signs point to a head-to-head battle between the two Englishmen.

Who will get the nod to lead the Tigers into the future? The race is on.

Steve Borthwick’s men survived a late scare as Finn Russell’s conversion slid wide, allowing them to snatch their first win over Scotland since 2020. Meanwhile, Wales looked revitalized under Matt Sherratt, producing their best display of the tournament so far.

But who had a weekend to forget? RUCK Editor Steve Smith takes a look at five players who struggled in round three.

So much talent, yet another disappointing display on the international stage. Slade had a torrid time against Scotland, missing key tackles that left England exposed.

His defensive lapses piled pressure on his teammates, while his attacking contribution was minimal—offering little creativity in midfield. With fierce competition for places, could this be the end of the road for him under Steve Borthwick?

Nowhere near the Lions conversation right now.

A night to forget for Scotland’s co-captain. While his passing and movement constantly tested England’s defence, his goal-kicking proved costly.

In a game of fine margins, his missed kicks—especially the late conversion that drifted wide—ultimately defined the result. A fly-half of his quality is expected to deliver in clutch moments, and he’ll know he left points behind. Scotland fans won’t let this one slide easily.

The Lions will want their No. 10 to be reliable off the tee. Fin Smith and Sam Prendergast are breathing down his neck.

Struggled to make his mark in an intense physical battle. He carried with intent but was let down by handling errors and poor decision-making at key moments.

Scotland needed stability in the back row, but Dempsey was too often on the fringes rather than in the thick of it. A frustrating afternoon where his effort wasn’t matched by execution, leaving Scotland’s pack without the control he was expected to bring.

The No. 8 jersey for the Lions remains up for grabs, though Caelan Doris leads the charge for the 2025 tour.

A rare off-day for one of Ireland’s most consistent performers. His lineout throwing remains a concern, with Ireland struggling to secure clean ball at crucial moments.

In open play, he was quieter than usual, failing to make his trademark impact with ball in hand. At times, he looked to force things, leading to unnecessary handling errors. With Rónan Kelleher waiting in the wings, this wasn’t the performance Sheehan needed.

He had been the frontrunner for the Lions No. 2 shirt, but strong form from Luke Cowan-Dickie and Elliot Dee has ramped up the competition.

A frustrating afternoon for the England scrum-half. His box-kicking lacked accuracy, failing to relieve pressure or put Scotland on the back foot. England’s attack looked sluggish in the first half, with Mitchell’s slow service contributing to their struggles.

He added more tempo after the break, but by then, the damage was done. With England’s half-back situation under scrutiny, this display won’t have strengthened his claim as Borthwick’s long-term No. 9. The Twickenham crowd’s lukewarm reception said it all.

Right now, he’s trailing behind Ben White, Tomos Williams, and Jamison Gibson-Park in the Lions pecking order.

England secured the trophy with a win in Rome, as they handed Italy a one-sided 34-5 bonus point defeat. We are challenging you to remember who started for England that day, as the match was played in front of an empty stadium during the Covid-19 Pandemic.

You have five minutes to provide your answers, good luck!