Stuart Lancaster is an English rugby union coach and former professional player who has led teams at the highest level of international and club rugby. He served as Head Coach of England from 2011 to 2015, guiding the national team through multiple Six Nations campaigns and major international fixtures, before continuing his coaching career in elite European rugby.
Stuart studied at Leeds Polytechnic, qualifying as a PE teacher in 1992, before he played and captained Leeds Tykes RUFC alongside his teaching career. Following retirement from playing, Stuart became the Head of the Leeds RFU Academy, before taking on the role of Head Coach and leading Leeds Tykes to promotion in 2007. In 2008, Stuart became the RFU Head of Elite Player Development and Head Coach of the England Saxons, the men's second national rugby union team.
Following his time as Head Coach of England, Stuart has coached throughout Europe including a successful period with Leinster, where he was part of the coaching team that won the European Rugby Champions Cup in 2018 and multiple league titles. Stuart is now Head Coach of Connacht, continuing his contribution to elite rugby and player development.
1992
2026
