Outgoing Leeds Carnegie Stuart Lancaster heads for his holidays believing his successor will find the club in good shape...
Who's going to fill your shoes then Stuart?
I honestly don't know, but I'd imagine they'll be something happening in the next couple of weeks.
What sort of person do you think you'll be handing your big red game-play book over to?
I expect it'll be someone who'll build on the club's tradition. I'm sure there have been a lot of high quality candidates in the frame, and someone who fits in with the culture of the club will be important.
You are confident that Leeds can make a sustained go of it then?
Definitely. There is a real opportunity now to send a message out about the ambition of the club and I am sure they will do that with the calibre of appointment.
You must be massively excited about your new role, and where that's going to take you?
I didn't take the Leeds role to get into position for another job, I work very much on concentrating on the job you've got, and what will be, will be type of thing. The new job will give me international coaching experience, which I am looking forward to. It will give me an opportunity to get amongst the other Premiership clubs, which I haven't been able to do having been at Leeds for 16 years now.
I'd imagine though that Leeds would still be the first result you look for at a weekend?
Definitely, without a doubt. I'm hoping to still live in Leeds and commute to London, and get around the clubs when necessary. In and amongst international games, age group games and Premiership games I'm still hoping to get to a few matches at Headingley Carnegie. I'll be a keen spectator, that's for sure.
You leave with a very heavy heart then?
Yes I am very sad to be leaving, the club has been a huge part of my life, and I was proud of the effort put in by everyone this season, although obviously very disappointed it ended in relegation. I am just proud to have done the job at Leeds.
Leeds to bounce straight back up?
There will be certainly no arrogance here. If there was any message I would give this year is not to take National One lightly, it is a very tough league. With 30 games and some full-time sides, I would advise against complacency.
And the side have got a tough start with Nottingham and Exeter first up...
Leeds have got the two best sides still in the division from last year so it's very important that pre-season is good. The continuity of squad should help the club get off to a good start, as they are not losing that many players.
There's been a bit of a furore over the club's refusal to release Tom Biggs from his contract...
It's difficult for me to comment as I'm leaving and ultimately it is the club's decision, but Biggsy has got opportunities to play with England Saxons so there are ways of keeping your profile up. I had to make a very difficult decision and I honestly can't see that I would have made it for any other job or any other club.
Your view on the season?
The final game against Wasps was pretty much a carbon copy of the whole season; there was lots of endeavour, some great tries and plenty of excitement. In a lot of games we managed to create situations where we got ahead or got close only for an unforced error to happen and grant the opposition an opportunity that invariably they would take. I'm disappointed for the players, but it was great credit to them the way that they held their spirit together, which is very difficult when you lose that many games.
So the club are in better shape now than when they last went down?
Two years ago I remember going up to Newcastle for the final game of the season, having taken the job on the Wednesday, and thinking that we were a shambles of a side, mentally and physically they [the Leeds side] were all over the place. This group is not. It is completely different which augurs well for the future.