RFU want World Cup winner to take England charge
Published:After admitting to receiving an approach from the RFU regarding the England manager’s job, Jake White has been installed as 5/1 third-favourite to take up the role.
Former Italy coach Nick Mallett remains at the forefront of the betting, 1/1 favourite to get the job, while interim head coach Stuart Lancaster has drifted from 11/10 to 2/1 to take the position on a permanent basis.
White would appear to be the RFU’s first choice though, and the coach is believed to have explained a desire to consider his options very carefully to his current employers, Super 15 side ACT Brumbies.
An initial denial of interest in the post has since been followed up with an admission from White that he would love the chance to become the first coach to win the World Cup twice, and this could bode well for England.
Despite being out of international work since leading South Africa to 2007 World Cup glory, ironically conquering England in the final, White’s managerial record remains impressive, and seems to have convinced the RFU he is the right man to bring success to English rugby.
Lancaster meanwhile, will have another chance to prove his worth to the RFU this weekend, as his side travel to Paris aiming to triumph at 11/4, but defeat to France would likely see his odds to land the job permanently pushed out further still.
Meanwhile, Mallett’s credentials are appealing to the RFU after achieving arguably Italy’s best ever victory away to France during his tenure in 2011.
He was strongly linked to the post following Martin Johnson’s resignation but cited a wish to spend time with his family in his native South Africa as a reason for his lack of interest.
If this is still the case, it looks a much more attractive proposition to get behind White at 5/1 for the job, rather than favourite Mallett at 1/1.
