Boost for Lancaster in race for England job

London: Stuart Lancaster's hopes of continuing as England head coach long-term have been dramatically enhanced after two potential rivals ruled themselves out of the running.

While the man in temporary charge of the national team during the Six Nations has formally applied for the post, it has emerged that Northampton coach Jim Mallinder and former All Blacks coach Wayne Smith have not done so.

Mallinder in particular was regarded as a prime contender and news of his decision — having initially expressed an interest — came as a shock.

"No, I haven't applied," he said. "It's probably the best job in the world coaching-wise, but it's got to be the right thing at the right time. At the moment, I'm concerned with getting Northampton to win something and I can't be distracted.

"I spoke to Rob Andrew a month or so ago, as I have done previously. I expressed that one day I think it would be a tremendous job to do. I'd like to do it at some time."

‘I love coaching'

Smith, who worked alongside Graham Henry with New Zealand, revealed in his column on The Rugby Site: "On request from the RFU, I did submit a brief CV, but I am not interested in the England head coach role.

"I do not want to be reporting to the board and to PR staff and spending time on strategic planning and office administration. I love coaching players."

However, Smith left the door open to the possibility of taking on a role within a revamped England management team, if Nick Mallett, the former South Africa and Italy coach, was put in charge, adding: "If the opportunity arose to work with a coach like Nick Mallett, for whom I have great respect, then I am open-minded about that possibility."