WEST YET TO COME

Coach Lancaster has big ambitions for Connacht

- By MICHAEL SCULLY

STUART Lancaster is not ruling out a return to the Test arena — or a shot at sitting in Ireland's hot seat in the future.

Sacked by Racing 92 in February, Connacht's new head coach has signed a contract with the westerners until 2027.

Andy Farrell's IRFU deal as Ireland boss runs out after the Rugby World Cup in the same year, by which stage he will be eight years in the job — and 11 years with the Ireland setup.

Lancaster laughed at the coincidence of the contract timing at Connacht's press conference ahead of Saturday's URC opener against Benetton at the Dexcom Stadium.

But, having previously coached England before helping Leinster win the Champions Cup in 2018 during seven years at the province, the 55 year old is not closing the door to any possibility down the line.

He was close to taking over Australia after leaving Racing but lost out when Joe Schmidt decided to stay on in the short term and Les Kiss has been lined up to succeed the ex-Ireland boss.

“I didn’t realise Andy was leaving” Lancaster joked.

“It's not something I've remotely discussed with him or even thought about, to be honest.