London - Stuart Lancaster was confirmed as the new head coach of England by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) on Thursday and will lead the team through the 2015 Rugby World Cup on home soil.
An RFU statement said: "Stuart Lancaster has been appointed England rugby head coach until the end of January 2016."
News of Lancaster's full-time appointment, which leaked earlier on Thursday in the British media, came after the 42-year-old saw off stiff competition from former South Africa and Italy coach Nick Mallett.
His confirmation as permanent coach came after Lancaster, previously in charge of England's reserve Saxons, impressed as caretaker boss in the recent Six Nations, where England finish runners-up to Grand Slam winners Wales after winning four out of their five matches.
RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie said: "We have been through a rigorous and global selection process and are confident that Stuart is the right person to lead England Rugby forward into the 2015 Rugby World Cup."
Lancaster added: "I am immensely honoured and proud to accept this role. From the hundreds of messages I received during the Six Nations I know what supporting England means to millions of people and I am privileged to be involved."
Lancaster's first series as permanent England coach will be on the June tour of South Africa where the team play three Tests against the Springboks.
An RFU statement said: "Stuart Lancaster has been appointed England rugby head coach until the end of January 2016."
News of Lancaster's full-time appointment, which leaked earlier on Thursday in the British media, came after the 42-year-old saw off stiff competition from former South Africa and Italy coach Nick Mallett.
His confirmation as permanent coach came after Lancaster, previously in charge of England's reserve Saxons, impressed as caretaker boss in the recent Six Nations, where England finish runners-up to Grand Slam winners Wales after winning four out of their five matches.
RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie said: "We have been through a rigorous and global selection process and are confident that Stuart is the right person to lead England Rugby forward into the 2015 Rugby World Cup."
Lancaster added: "I am immensely honoured and proud to accept this role. From the hundreds of messages I received during the Six Nations I know what supporting England means to millions of people and I am privileged to be involved."
Lancaster's first series as permanent England coach will be on the June tour of South Africa where the team play three Tests against the Springboks.