STUART LANCASTER signed a record six-year contract extension yesterday, taking his stewardship of England beyond the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

Lancaster’s coaching lieutenants Graham Rowntree, Andy Farrell and Mike Catt have also completed new deals to run until the end of the 2019-20 season.

The new contract for former Leeds boss Lancaster is the longest ever awarded to an England head coach, a massive show of faith from the RFU.

Lancaster had to fight for his permanent appointment in March 2012, but this extended contract is a clear boost to England’s preparations for hosting the 2015 World Cup.

Chief executive Ian Ritchie said RFU bosses were determined to act swiftly to secure the long-term future of Lancaster and his coaching group.

“We are lucky to have a talented, committed and passionate coaching group,” he said.

“Coaching at international level is unique in that the time Stuart and the coaches have with the players is limited and in that regard it requires a special and stable coaching team.

“We therefore felt it important to secure their long-term future and we believe this is entirely the right decision for the future of England Rugby.”

Lancaster assumed the England reins on an interim basis following the fallout from the dismal run at the 2011 cup in New Zealand and Martin Johnson’s exit.

He was installed permanently following England’s second-place finish in the 2012 Six Nations.

Lancaster said continued strong support from RFU bosses will be critical to England’s chances at Rugby World Cup 2015 and beyond.

“It’s great that the RFU have got faith in us as a coaching group and its support has been critical to what we have achieved to date,” said Lancaster.

“We believe that England Rugby is moving in the right direction, we have the right coaching and management team to do take us forward and are excited about the challenge ahead.”

England’s preparations for next year’s home tournament were given a further boost yesterday when organisers reveal that demand for tickets had been so high that ballots will have to be held for some seats in every single match.

At least 20 of the 48 matches will see a ballot held for all price categories with the demand also ensuring almost all of the lower price categories will be sold out even for the less high-profile games.

England Rugby 2015 chief executive Debbie Jevans said she was “very pleased” with the level of demand.

“We will be running ballots in the next few weeks to ensure tickets are allocated fairly and will let all customers know the results of their applications by the end of October and before we take payments.

“We will spend the next few weeks processing the applications, running ballots, ensuring as many rugby fans as possible get tickets.”