The runners and riders...
Nick Mallett is among the leading contenders to have applied for the England head coach role, according to reports © Getty Images
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Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Gavin Mairs runs through the contenders to become England's new head coach.
"The deadline for applications for the position closes on Wednesday, with former Italy and Japan coach John Kirwan and former Ireland and Lions coach Eddie O’Sullivan among the leading overseas candidates who have put themselves forward.
"The All Blacks World-Cup winning assistant coach Wayne Smith, who had been previously touted as a ‘dream ticket’ along with [Nick] Mallett, however is thought not to have applied, with one source suggesting he was concerned the job description was “too all-encompassing”. Jim Mallinder, the director of rugby at Northampton Saints, and London Irish’s Toby Booth are understood to be the leading English candidates, along with Lancaster, who lodged his application before the opening Six Nations victory over Scotland.
"Clermont Auvergne’s New Zealand coach, Vern Cotter, who was asked to apply for the All Blacks job by the New Zealand Rugby Football Union only to be pipped by Steve Hansen, is not thought to be in contention."
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