Stuart Lancaster slams critics after joining Leinster

Former England coach Stuart Lancaster has dismissed talks that he was not involved in much hands-on coaching during his stint with the red rose team.

The 46-year-old has joined Leinster as a part of their coaching panel for the remainder of the season and this will be his first major role ever since he was removed as the England coach following the 2015 World Cup.

After working with short-term roles this summer for British Cycling, the Football Association, Atlanta Falcons and in New Zealand domestic rugby, Lancaster will now work under Leinster's head coach Leo Cullen.

During Lancaster's tenure England finished runners-up in the Six Nations for four consecutive years between 2012 and 2015 but in the previous edition of the World Cup, they became the first host nation to have not qualified to the knockout stages in the history of the tournament.

Lancaster's successor Eddie Jones immediately brought success as England are yet to lose a game under the former Australian coach after clinching the Grand Slam for the first time in 13 years and whitewashing Wallabies 3-0.

Having worked with high-profile coaches Andy Farrell, Mike Catt and Graham Rowntree during his tenure with England, Lancaster's training ability was questioned by various reports but the former hooker was quick to hit back at the critics.

"I've coached virtually every part of the game, whether I go back to my teaching career 'til I was 30, but I've coached now for 16 years.

"I think there was a perception in England that I probably didn't do any coaching.

"Andy Farrell clearly led on the defence when I was with England (but) I was coaching defence not less that three weeks ago in New Zealand.

"(At) Counties Manukau my main remit was to coach defence. So I've got my own philosophy. Clearly it's been influenced by the people I've worked under as defence coaches.

"I watched Mike Ford when he was England defence coach, obviously Andy Farrell latterly, I worked with Paul Gustard in Argentina when he came with me.

"I think I understand a lot about defence but equally as I mentioned earlier on, I've got a reasonably broad range and hopefully I can influence the attacking stuff as well and also reach down a bit to some of the academy work.

"I come from a player development background, my role in England was not just head coach, (I was) head of elite player development, and I like to think I can offer Leinster something in that regard as well."

Lancaster will now replace defence coach Kurt McQuilkin at Leinster after the 50-year-old headed back to his home in New Zealand due to personal reasons. The former Leeds Carnegie rugby director believes working under Cullen will help him get to know more about the club.

"I'm more than happy to work underneath Leo because I don't know the club, I don't know the environment, I don't know the relationships and everything.

"It suits me down to the ground just to get back into coaching again."