STUART Lancaster’s reign as England boss should be remembered for the efforts he made to ‘change the culture’ of the team, according Warriors head coach Carl Hogg.
The former Scotland international has thrown his support behind his friend and former colleague after the 46-year-old stepped down as England head coach last week.
Lancaster’s departure comes after England became the first host nation of the Rugby World Cup not to progress past the group stages.
Hogg said he understood Lancaster’s decision, but he insisted the Yorkshireman, who he worked with at Leeds Carnegie and in the Scotland set up, deserved credit for the work he had done since taking over in 2012.
“I am just extremely disappointed for Stuart,” he said. “He is a hard-working bloke and it is disappointing for somebody to lose their job or step down.
“I think it was always going to be tough (after exiting the World Cup). What I would say, though, is that Stuart had put a lot of things in place on and off the field and had changed the culture of that England group.
“But ultimately when you don’t qualify in a home World Cup there is going to be pressure.”
Hogg said he had been in regular contact with Lancaster and believes he will come back stronger following the experience.
“Stuart is somebody I know very well and I know he was aware of the consequences of not getting out of the pool stages,” Hogg added.
“But he is a very honourable man with great integrity and I am sure he will bounce back.”