The Rugby Football Union have confirmed that Stuart Lancaster has become England's new head coach on a four-year deal.

Reports emerged this morning claiming that the 42-year-old had been chosen as the right candidate to take the elite national side forward in the long-term.

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.

"He has shown throughout the RBS 6 Nations and subsequently in both interview and other conversations I, as chairman of the advisory panel, have had with him that he has the skills and vision needed in the England head coach."

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.

"The players, coaches and the management were superb during the tournament and it's down to them that we made such positive steps from when we first met up in Leeds. The challenge now is to take this squad and the players we will see emerge forward to 2015. It is one that I can't wait to get stuck into.

"We have a massive task ahead of us in South Africa this summer and we have 37 games before that first World Cup match on home soil, so every second counts in developing players who can win that tournament – which has to be the ultimate aim."

The former Leeds director led England to second place in the Six Nations following four out of five wins in the competition.