Ireland coach Joe Schmidt distances himself from link to England job

That panel will talk to players and management about the reasons for the early exit, and the subject of Stuart Lancaster’s role as head coach will feature prominently.

More than two weeks after England became the first host nation not to qualify for the knock-out stages of the World Cup, when they were thrashed at Twickenham by Australia, the RFU has still not finalised who will conduct the review.

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.

They suggest that a move across the Irish Sea would represent a step up for the Kiwi.

Speaking at the team announcement for Ireland’s quarter-final meeting with Argentina in Cardiff on Sunday, Schmidt was also reluctant to discuss Lancaster’s future.

“Externally, I’d be a fan of Stuart Lancaster as a person and what he’s trying to build there”, he said.

“If we’d lost last weekend it could be someone else being propositioned for my job”.

“I enjoy chatting with Stuart before and after matches, and I certainly wouldn’t be going after his job”.

Schmidt’s star has been on the rise since his days as assistant coach to Vern Cotter at Clermont Auvergne.

A dejected England Chris Robshaw after losing to Australia at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.