Stuart Lancaster has reacted with surprise to suggestions that the Rugby Football Union has approached the former Italy coach Nick Mallett over the England job.
Mallett said he had rebuffed the offer, which had come four years too late as far as he was concerned, but when it was put to Lancaster ahead of England’s dead rubber against Uruguay he was immediately taken aback.
“I didn’t know that,” he said. “I guess that’s the nature of the situation we are in.”
He added: “For me it’s about getting on with the day job and I’ve got enough to be thinking about to be honest.”
Mallett, who was on the RFU’s shortlist when Lancaster was appointed in 2011, has not coached in international rugby since leaving the Italy post following the 2011 World Cup but has been working as a television pundit.
Speaking at a breakfast for Super Rugby side the Blue Bulls on Thursday, he said that he had received a call from England earlier this week.
“I’m not going to consider it. I was keen for the challenge in 2011, but not anymore. I’m enjoying my current job,” Mallett was quoted as saying by the Sport24 website.
The RFU has denied any approach, saying: “There is a clear process at the conclusion of England’s tournament, which starts with the review. No pre-judgments have been made nor anyone contacted.”
Lancaster, who is preparing to lead England into Saturday’s Rugby World Cup match against Uruguay on Saturday, has yet to discover whether he will be retained as head coach but has revealed he has received hundreds of supportive messages in the aftermath of their defeats to Wales and Australia.
Lancaster has presided over a disappointing England campaign in which they were defeated by Wales and Australia and became the first hosts not to qualify for the knockout stages of a World Cup.
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