Racing 92 rugby director Stuart Lancaster deplored this Friday, December 27th “the lies” about his future published in the English and French press in recent days, which say he is close to leaving the club.
“I've been frustrated by the lies that have been told about me. One of them started in England about me leaving for [the Irish province of] Munster, which is absolutely not true. And the podcast that said it, I have no respect for him”, began the English coach before quoting a tweet, sometimes picked up in French media, saying that he had announced his departure to his players.
“He showed no respect for me. I have no respect for him. But what disappointed me the most was the fact that other people presented information on their website as true, without checking the facts”, he said Friday at a press conference.
200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000
“We lost our momentum”
The departure that took place at the club was ultimately that of the chairman of the Racing board 92, Laurent Travers, after more than ten seasons. Lancaster paid tribute to him, saying he had “a very good relationship” with him.
At the end of 2024, Racing 92 is in a delicate position, only ninth in the Top 14 while it was leading at the same time a year before.
“Then we lost our momentum. But paradoxically, I think we are better this year, as a group”, said Lancaster before meeting Lyon on Sunday, a little lower ranked than them. “I remain confident about the direction we are taking.”
As for the players, “we are mainly focused on collective performances and Sunday's match rather than everything that is said about the club”, affirmed Cameroon third row Woki. The changes in the management “do not affect us”, swept aside center and captain Gaël Fickou.