Whitford poised to join Lancaster

Stuart Lancaster is set to turn to an experienced hand when he moves to Racing 92 next season, with Tom Whitford tipped to join his coaching staff.

The former Cambridge University centre moved to France when Richmond went bust in 1999, playing for Perpignan and Toulon.

He became an official interpreter and link between the English-speaking players and the staff at Toulouse when he finished playing before returning to Toulon as team manager.

Whitford, 51, is currently the manager at Montpellier, but his knowledge of French rugby could be invaluable to Lancaster in the French capital.

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