French rugby publication, Midi Olympique, has this morning reported that the RFU want Joe Schmidt to replace Stuart Lancaster as England coach.
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The World Cup hosts crashed out of the tournament in the pool stage and as a result coach Stuart Lancaster’s position is under enormous scrutiny despite being contracted until 2020.
Two Heineken Cup titles with Leinster and back-to-back Six Nations titles, have made the New Zealand one of the most sought-after coaches in world rugby.
Considering that they fell dramatically short in that regard, he is coming under increasing pressure in the England hot seat.
But Schmidt, who will be trying to steer his side into the World Cup semi-finals when they face Argentina on Sunday lunchtime, has scotched those rumours.
Midi Olympique, a bi-weekly paper specialising in rugby, has named three candidates the RFU wish to speak to – former South Africa coach Jake White, Japan boss Eddie Jones and Schmidt.
We’re sure it’s just a coincidence.
Lancaster said after the defeat to Australia: ‘I’m happy to talk about anything in an open and honest way.
“If we had lost (to France) last weekend it could be someone else propositioned for this job”.
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England held a post-match press conference with Stuart Lancaster and captain Chris Robshaw but only Tom Wood and Richard Wigglesworth appeared in the mix zone.
