Cheika out of England running; Kiwis eyed

Several high-profile names have ruled themselves out of the England role, with Australia coach Michael Cheika, who said he already had his “dream job”, the latest on Monday as he joined a list that also includes New Zealanders Warren Gatland and Joe Schmidt, the coaches of Wales and Ireland respectively.

Cheika led the Wallabies to the World Cup final just 12 months after taking over Australia’s top job while Lancaster’s men bombed out of their home tournament in spectacular fashion.

The only leading figure to say he would like to be England coach is South Africa’s Jake White, the Springboks’ boss when they won the 2007 World Cup.

Former coach Stuart Lancaster left the post last week after England became the first host team to fail to make it out of the group stage at the Rugby World Cup.

Jones, who masterminded Japan’s astonishing World Cup win over South Africa, saw his odds slashed from 9/1 to 1/3 following what Paddy Power termed a “huge plunge”.

Cheika’s in London to coach the Barbarians this weekend and is adamant he won’t leave the Wallabies.

“The guy that has been playing in [Pocock’s] place has been outstanding, Butler, he’s just been aggressive, hardworking… he’s going fantastic at the Brumbies”, Cheika said before the Brumbies’ showdown against the NSW Waratahs earlier this year. “You have an idea of what you want and you grow that”.

He responded emphatically to reports that he has been sounded out by the RFU for the England job vacated by Stuart Lancaster. “There’s nothing that would make me change my mind”, Cheika said.

Rugby Football Union chief Ian Ritchie last week insisted that the governing body was prepared to break the bank to secure a coach with proven worldwide experience to replace Lancaster, although Cheika has declared himself out of the running.

“There are a lot of guys who have good quality”. Jim Mallinder, Rob Baxter, Dean Richards…

Andy Farrell, Graham Rowntree and Mike Catt will keep their roles as assistants while the RFU conducts its search and Farrell could conceivably be at the helm for the RBS 6 Nations on an interim basis if no suitable candidate is found in time.