The former Ireland and London Irish full-back is one of several names thought to be on a short-list drafted up by the Rugby Football Union [RFU], who haven’t given up hope of luring Joe Schmidt either.
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Ritchie’s comment this week that Lancaster would not be offered an alternative job within the union because it would be wrong for the new head coach to have his predecessor working in the organisation was interpreted as keeping the door closed to Woodward, who, in recent weeks, has been critical of Ritchie. It was a massive show of faith by the RFU, and Ritchie said at the time it was “entirely the right decision for the future of England Rugby”.
The All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith.
England became the first host nation to be eliminated in the group stages when they lost matches to Wales and Australia in Pool A.
But with everything set up for England to go far in the tournament – home advantage, the draw, confidence-boosting warm-up results – four years of planning were wasted when Lancaster and the selectors made poor choices before and during the tournament.
“If the RFU thinks I am the man for the job and there wasn’t going to be any rigmarole of going through the whole process which I have before then I would be a contender”.
An RFU statement said Lancaster, in charge since April 2012 and under contract until 2020, had “stepped down by mutual consent”.
“I am being clear with everyone that I’m not coaching full-time in 2016”, said Smith, 58.
“It’s equally important that I continue to deliver for the organisation and move it forward”.
“I take accountability and responsibility for that, and I’m grateful to the RFU board for asking me to do that”. That means I have to align myself with the side that I think I can get the best out of.
That warning has been heeded by the RFU, judging by the criteria laid out by chief executive Ian Ritchie at a Twickenham press conference on Wednesday.
White was approached by the RFU twice before only to lose out to Martin Johnson and Lancaster but that has not put him off.
“This is not a matter of financial considerations, it is about getting the best possible coach for England”.
“But it’s a long shot”.
The former All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) boss could yet depart his post once the new head coach is installed and the RFU back on the right footing on the playing front however.
However, Ritchie’s position is bound to be called into question given he both appointed Lancaster and last year gave the coach and his backroom staff six-year contract extensions taking them beyond the 2019 World Cup.
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Ritchie insisted the findings will remain private, after canvassing the opinions of 59 outside parties, as well as the 12 Aviva Premiership club bosses. I have never played in a team where everyone is buddy buddy but what has emerged from this squad – lack of trust and everything else – is really quite serious.
