Lions chief says Stuart Lancaster is candidate for New Zealand
By Paul Vinnell
Last Updated: 28/01/16 8:26am
Stuart Lancaster has "a lot of the credentials" to coach the British & Irish Lions in New Zealand next year says Lions chief executive John Feehan.
Lancaster parted company with the RFU last year in the wake of England's hugely disappointing World Cup campaign and has since been replaced by Australian Eddie Jones.
During his four years in charge Lancaster's England never won the Six Nations and became the first host nation to be eliminated at the group stage of World Cup after defeats to Australia and Wales last year.
Wales coach Warren Gatland - who led the Lions to their first series victory since 1997 in Australia four years ago - is the favourite for the job.
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt says his contract will not allow him to take the job while new England coach Jones has swiftly ruled himself out of the running.
However Feehan insisted that coaches not currently attached to one of the Lions nations will be considered and says Lancaster is a candidate.
"He has a lot of the credentials you could potentially look for in a Lions coach," Feehan told The Times. "Right now we have got to wait and see how the results go over the Six Nations and the June series, and then make a more informed decision.
"I am certainly not ruling anyone out at this stage. We have to keep an open mind and see who is available to us, who wishes to do it and whether they fit the criteria set by ourselves."
