What Stuart Lancaster said immediately after England's exit from the Rugby World Cup

The head coach promised no snap decisions would be taken, but he would consider his future

Stuart Lancaster (GETTY IMAGES)

Stuart Lancaster today stepped down as the head coach of the England rugby team.

It comes 39 days after England were stunned at Twickenham by eventual finalists Australia and progress in the Rugby World Cup became a mathematical impossibility.

The tournament's hosts still had one more game to play, a dead-rubber against Uruguay, which they won 60-3. In the aftermath of that match, Lancaster spoke to the press for the final time before today's announcement.

He was asked to speak about his future, in which he offered a considered view and admitted it was uncertain whether he would remain. He also revealed how hard it would be to walk away.

This is what he said...

"I haven't had time to think and reflect.

“It's been a tough week. I've had the defeat to deal with and get the players in the right mind set for this game.

“With all the things to organise I haven't had time to sit back and chat to anyone about anything really. But there is a bit more space in the diary this week.

"You have to allow the dust to settle and have a chance to think, and it won't be all my decision anyway.

"Anyone in my position who has worked since December 2011 to this point would say it would be hard to walk away from, but equally I understand it is a results business.

“It is a difficult one to answer at the moment."

The RFU has said the search for Lancaster's replacement begins "immediately".