Stuart Lancaster felt the brunt of England's underwhelming Rugby World Cup campaign last Autumn when the host nation crashed out in the group stages, costing him a) a significant slice of his reputation and b) his job but it appears that he still has slome clout in the game after being heavily linked with signing a deal with French giants Toulon in the coming days.
Lancaster hasn't worked in the game since his dismissal from the top job in English rugby last year and, though he has been working in advisory roles with the F.A. and British Cycling, it is expected that his return to rugby will be announced sooner rather than later.
Former England boss Stuart Lancaster in talks to return to coaching with Toulonhttps://t.co/77mQyBPRLu pic.twitter.com/w77LdZdxf9
— Telegraph Rugby (@TelegraphRugby) July 12, 2016
The Englishman is slated to meet Toulon boss Mourad Boudjellal in Paris this week to discuss terms over a two or three year deal and will be asked to overhaul a squad which already features the talents of Duane Vermuelen, Leigh Halfpenny, Quade Cooper and Ma'a Nonu.
Lancaster would replace former French coach Bernard Laporte who is expected to leave the club for a role in the French Rugby Federation. Diego Dominguez, the former Argentinian flyhalf, was linked with the job but has had a falling out Boudjellal which looks like it could expedite his removal from the club.
There are a number of job vacancies in Australia and New Zealand to which Lancaster has also been linked, though it has been reported that Lancaster is concerned about uprooting his family.
If Lancaster proves to be out of reach, Toulon may look in the direction of Graham Henry who will shortly serve Leinster in a temporary coaching capacity.
