Lancaster eyes on Connacht extension rather than Leinster

Stuart Lancaster said he is in talks with Connacht about extending his contract and that there has been no contact with Leinster about taking over there when Leo Cullen departs at the end of the season.

Lancaster spent seven seasons as senior coach under Cullen at Leinster and was immediately identified in many quarters as a possible successor when Cullen announced his intention in June to leave at the end of this campaign .

But Lancaster, who signed a two-year deal when he arrived in Connacht last summer, said there has been no contact with Leinster and that he, in fact, is in talks with Connacht CEO Willie Ruane and IRFU performance director David Humphreys.

"Honestly, I've not had any conversation with anyone from Leinster," said Lancaster as he prepares for Friday night's URC opener against the Stormers in Galway.