Former England player Stuart Barnes has admitted that he is "surprised" by the length of Stuart Lancaster's new contract.
The Rugby Football Union announced today that head coach Lancaster has had his deal extended until 2020.
The 44-year-old, who took over in 2011, has guided the nation to second place in the Six Nations three times, as well a record-breaking 38-21 victory over New Zealand at Twickenham back in 2012.
"I think a contract of that length in this day and age will always be surprising, especially as the main criteria by which England will be judged is not one-off games against New Zealand or the Six Nations, but the World Cup," Barnes told Sky Sports News.
"England have to be contenders, especially at home in the World Cup, and if they were to get it wrong, if they were to go out at the qualifying stage, it would be a contract that an awful lot of people would question."
Forwards coach Graham Rowntree, backs coach Andy Farrell and attacking skills coach Mike Catt have also signed new contracts.
Danielle Joynson
