Former England head coach Stuart Lancaster has joined Leinster as a senior coach until the end of the season.
Lancaster will work under head coach Leo Cullen and joins the backroom team with immediate effect. His first game with Leinster will come this weekend away to Glasgow Warriors in the Pro12.
Having coached England up to last year's World Cup, Lancaster has been out of work since leaving his role with the RFU last November. He has not worked directly in the club game since leaving Leeds Carnegie as Director of Rugby in 2007.
Lancaster's sudden arrival at the RDS has come off the back of Kurt McQuilkin's departure due to personal reasons. McQuilkin has returned home to New Zealand with his family during a difficult time.
BREAKING: welcome to Leinster Stuart Lancaster. #StuartLancaster pic.twitter.com/TxfyFMrLvL
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) September 5, 2016
Speaking in the wake of the appointment, head coach Leo Cullen said he was delighted to have somebody of the calibre of Lancaster join his coaching staff.
"Stuart brings a wealth of experience and is a highly respected figure in world rugby. We are all looking forward to having Stuart join our team and together helping the players maximise their potential as a group."
Leinster Chief Executive Mick Dawson revealed that Lancaster will begin his work with Leinster's players on Monday afternoon.
"I know, having spoken at length to Stuart, that he is excited by the challenge of getting into club rugby again and the day to day interaction with players. His first session with Leo, Girvan, John and the players will be later on this afternoon".
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