Intro:

After a successful Six Nations as temporary head coach of England, the RFU have appointed Stuart Lancaster as the new permanent leader of the national team.

Script:

SOUNDBITE: (English) Stuart Lancaster, England coach.

"It's obviously trying to find the words to describe how you feel. I guess two words which spring to mind are honour and privilege. The honour of being head coach of your national team in any sport, but to do it at a time when we've got a World Cup in our own country is a huge honour, and obviously a huge privilege and responsibility."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Ian Ritchie, Rugby Football Union Chief Executive:

"I don't see it as a gamble. That's why I referred at the start to the process. Although to some extent Stuart might be thinking he's been interviewed since December almost. It's one of the longest interviewing processes ever. But that's why I think it's very important to see and I stressed earlier that Stuart was given this job on merit against some very strong competition. There was a large number of interested candidates in this job and that's why we went through the extensive process. So I think that he ticks all of the boxes that we need. I think the view of all the people that we sought views from, including the panel, including the board, including extensive discussions elsewhere, was that we came back to the view that Stuart was the best candidate."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Stuart Lancaster, England coach.

(On England's three-Test tour of South Africa in June.)

"I think it will get tougher for us. I think it's getting tougher for all the northern hemisphere sides who are heading to the southern hemisphere. But if we want to be in a position by 2013, 2014, we've got a side ready which is going to win in 2015 we have to take on these challenges and we can't go there with the mindset that we're making up the numbers or we're going there just to compete. We want to go there to compete and win and we want to make sure we take on the challenge in the right way, respect the challenge but equally I think it's exactly the right thing for us to do, and in terms of the development of this group and the journey that we're on it will be a great benchmark for us to see where we're at."