The arrival of Stuart Lancaster in Leinster this season has been received positively by media, fans and players alike, and his presence in the coaching staff has been lauded as one of the key reasons for the province's rejuvenation.
Yesterday though, his past may have come back to haunt him as Leinster were dumped out of the European Champions Cup by a Clermont team whose explosive start to the game proved to be the difference between the two team.
In particular, their 33 year old English winger David Strettle was on fire. He set up Clermont's opening try after just four minutes with a beautiful little chip over Isa Nacewa's head and added the French team's second try himself just a few minutes later, leaving Leinster 15-0 down and with just too much to do to turn the deficit around.
Strettle, who hasn't played for England since 2013, only won 14 caps in his seven years in the English squad, moved from Saracens to Clermont in 2015. His form for the English club before he left was outstanding and he expected an international call up for the 2015 World Cup. Strettle was in the training squad for the tournament when he pulled out due to his move to Clermont, though he was unlikely to make the final squad.
Speaking to the media after the game yesterday, he appeared to derive motivation for yesterday's performance for coming up against the former England coach.
Stuart didn’t speak to me much when I knew him so I don’t think he’ll speak to me much now. In any career, when someone doesn’t respect you it’s nice to go out and show them what you can do.
I respect Stuart in a professional capacity but when he didn’t pick me it was tough to take. I’m not the only player he didn’t pick, but hopefully Stuart will watch that game and think: ‘You know what, he’s a better player than I thought he was.’
Back in 2015, Lancaster made it clear the two had had a conversation about Strettle's move to France, though perhaps there was more to the discussions than we were led to believe.
After visiting France recently and discussing it with his family he has made the decision to move early to get settled before the season in France starts.
Obviously it is disappointing but David and I have chatted and he feels that, having made the move, he wants to get on with forging his new career and we both agreed it was the best course of action for him to withdraw from the squad.
We all wish David and his family well in France as they begin a new chapter in their lives.
Strettle, now 33, will now face his former club Saracens in the Champions Cup final.
