Mallett: Favourite for England job

Stuart Lancaster, Brian Ashton and John Kirwan are among the candidates for the caretaker role, which the Rugby Football Union have pledged to fill before Christmas.

It was thought that the interim man would automatically step down when the new head coach is named in time for the summer tour to South Africa.

However, RFU board member and Professional Game Board chairman Ian Metcalfe insists they will also come under consideration if deserved.

"We haven't said that whoever holds the job on an interim basis should not be entitled to be a candidate for the job on a permanent basis,'' said Metcalfe.

"Absolutely, if they do a fantastic job they will be considered within an open process alongside the others who are interested in the job.

"It's the job of a lifetime in one sense - an opportunity to coach a team through the Six Nations and demonstrate their ability on the European stage.''

Highly-regarded South African coach Nick Mallett is favourite to succeed Martin Johnson on a long-term basis.

But Metcalfe agrees there is also a need for a well-known figure to take on the interim post to begin the process of restoring the confidence lost during an abysmal World Cup.

When it was suggested the temporary coach should be able to lift the nation with his profile, Metcalfe responded: "I agree.

"We feel exactly the same, so we have to think through all of those aspects when we make the appointment.''

If the RFU do deem a prominent figure is required to prove that England are heading in the right direction then Lancaster, coach of the second string Saxons, is unlikely to feature.

There has been dismay at Rob Andrew's involvement in the selection process for the interim and head coaches, but Metcalfe explained his contribution is purely managerial.

Andrew's demotion to professional rugby director has seen him stripped of responsibilities to the senior England team, but he will act as chairman of the five-man panel that makes recommendations to the chief executive.

The RFU and Premier Rugby will provide two members each to the panel with Andrew having the final say on their identity, though Metcalfe insists any decisions are being made in consultation.

"Rob is the only person as professional rugby director in a position to manage the process,'' he said.

"Rob does the legwork. He does not make the appointment, he manages the process.

"The strict wording of the clause says it is a matter for the elite rugby director to agree two representatives of PRL and two representatives of the RFU.

"But Rob is very humble about that. He is saying to us, 'Are these two guys who can make a positive contribution?'"

Meanwhile, the RFU hope to have recruited their new chief executive by the end of the month.

Far from being put off by the turmoil that has engulfed Twickenham, Metcalfe insists the prospective candidates are intrigued by the possibilities with the 2015 World Cup being held on home soil.

"The people on our long list that we have been talking to see it as a fantastic challenge,'' he said.

"They see an organisation that has been trying to tear itself to bits for a period of time, but knows it's still commercially sound.

"Any CEO who has done his research and knows his product will know we have the opportunity to become an extraordinary global brand.

"We have a serious chance of winning the 2015 World Cup in our country because we have a group of players who could be extraordinary when that year arrives.''

Acting chief executive Stephen Brown stated that sponsors have not been put off by recent events, instead taking a "longer-term'' view.

Brown also revealed that the RFU would visit players at their clubs in an attempt to repair the damage caused by the leaked reports into England's World Cup fiasco.