England's interim head coach Stuart Lancaster needs to win "at least three" Six Nations matches to get the job full-time, says ex-captain Lewis Moody.
Lancaster, who has been in charge of the second-string Saxons since 2008, was placed in temporary charge of the first team after Martin Johnson quit.
Moody told BBC Sport: "If things go well he could get the job full-time. If not he'll still be with the Saxons."
Lancaster kicks off his reign against Scotland at Murrayfield on 4 February.
Moody, 33, who stepped down after England's troubled 2011 World Cup campaign, also backed Lancaster's decision to name nine uncapped players in his squad.
He told BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek: "Picking a squad with a mind on 2015 and the future is the right way to go.
"It is a tough competition, but youth brings enthusiasm, hunger and passion.
"It will be a tough year but, if it blends, there is no reason why England can't have a good Six Nations. "
Lancaster brought in a host of new faces when he named his new-look 32-man squad, partly due to injuries and the retirement of several of the team's stalwarts.
But he also discarded a number of veterans with Mike Tindall, Mark Cueto, Nick Easter, Shontayne Hape and Riki Flutey all failing to make the cut.
"It's probably the right way to go, although some of the guys, like Cueto, will feel harshly done by," added Moody.
"It's about bringing these guys through and them stepping up to take their opportunities as we all had as players at some stage in our careers. So these guys need to take their chances now."
ENGLAND'S 15-YEAR RECORD
Martin Johnson (Jul 08-Nov 11) Tests: 38, Win %: 55.26.
Rob Andrew (Jun 08) Tests: 2, Win %: 0.
Brian Ashton (Dec 06-Jun 08) Tests: 22, Win %: 54.5.
Andy Robinson (Oct 04-Nov 06) Tests: 22, Win %: 40.9.
Clive Woodward (Nov 97-Sep 04) Tests: 83, Win %: 71.1.