Having endured a torrid conclusion to his tenure with England, Stuart Lancaster has found a good deal of redemption since taking up a role under Leo Cullen at Leinster.
With news that Aviva Premiership side Harlequins are set to part with their Director of Rugby John Kingston at the end of the current season, Lancaster's work with Leinster is unlikely to go unnoticed.
Joining Cullen's backroom in 2016, Lancaster has been present during an increasingly impressive period for the province; they are now strong favourites for this year's Champions Cup.
Yet, with news of Kingston's departure, the British sports media are rarely reporting the change without reference to Lancaster as a potential replacement.
In The Telegraph, Lancaster, "who has revived his reputation as Leinster's senior coach," is likely to be on the club's shortlist of choices for the role. The Daily Mail and Evening Standard similarly tipped Lancaster as Harlequins' new Director of Rugby, while The Times went as far to suggest that he would be among the club's "immediate favourites."
One particular obstruction - assuming Lancaster would be interested in the position - is the link Harlequins have established with New Zealand Rugby.
Created with the intention that young All-Blacks keen to sample European rugby could do so with a club that would not see them leave New Zealand (and international eligibility) indefinitely, it is not inconceivable that that club could use this link to acquire the services of a New Zealander in the directorial role; there will already be three Kiwi directors in the Aviva Premiership next season.
A decision that is unlikely to be announced in the immediate future, Kingston will not depart the club until the season's end. For Lancaster, the temptation of a move to England may prove too enticing. For Leinster, the work he has done there thus far would suggest his loss would be a difficult one.
