RFU interim chief executive, Nigel Melville, says that England will consider Stuart Lancaster as a possible successor to Eddie Jones.
Lancaster, now a coach with Leinster, was England head coach for four years. He left following the disastrous 2015 World Cup but has since rebuilt his reputation at Leinster.
Lancaster has also been mentioned as a possible member of Andy Farrell's backroom team when he takes over as Ireland head coach from Joe Schmidt next year.
"Why would it be a problem?" Melville told The Telegraph regarding Lancaster's less than harmonious exit from the England job three years ago.
I didn’t get rid of anyone. I’ll talk to anyone who has the requisite talent to do the job for us. I am English, this is England, and, of course, it would be great to have an English coach. I haven’t spoken to Stuart, so I’m not sure if it’s the path that he sees for himself, but we have been monitoring everyone for the past 18 months.
We have got a spreadsheet of everything and everyone, different levels, assistant coaches, kicking coaches, all sorts. We have English coaches working overseas as well, quite a few of them in France.
I’ll be meeting with everyone who is a potential target for us. All our top English coaches will be contacted. We have got to have the best coach for the job.
Melville said that the RFU will also speak to Warren Gatland regarding the job. Gatland, who has been Wales head coach since 2007, will step down following next year's World Cup.
Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
