The search for Stuart Lancaster’s successor has officially begun.
The rugby boss stepped down as the national team’s head coach on Wednesday after a disappointing World Cup campaign saw England eliminated after just three matches.
The early favourites for the job include Bath coach Mike Ford, Exeter’s Rob Baxter and former World Cup winner Jake White.
But it’s possible the RFU will go with someone with no previous head coaching experience for the third time in a row after Josh Lewsey stepped down from his role with the Welsh Rugby Union.
The Welsh Rugby Union's Head of Rugby Josh Lewsey has announced his resignation and will be leaving his post from January 2016.
— Simon Thomas Rugby (@simonrug) November 11, 2015
Although Lewsey will remain in the role for the rest of the year, he could still take over England as they have no international games in the next two months.
The RFU may be hesitant to go with yet another first-time coach after the failures of Martin Johnson and Stuart Lancaster, but Lewsey has impressed during his time in Wales and would have the respect of the players as a 2003 World Cup winner.
The WRU announce their Head of Rugby Josh Lewsey will leave his post in January 2016. Makes you wonder where he'll go next?
— Rugby World (@Rugbyworldmag) November 11, 2015
Another chess move in the RFU story.
Josh Lewsey to leave the WRU in January
— Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) November 11, 2015
Josh Lewsey leaves his job with the WRU on the day Lancaster resigns, yet no bookie has Lewsey as next England head coach!? #puntingproblems
— Aly Vance (@AlyVance1) November 11, 2015
Still, it would represent a huge risk on the part of the usually conservative RFU and it may well be that Lewsey is joining the England coaching staff in a smaller capacity, or even not at all.
