Thursday, 16 February 2012

Mallinder Not in England Running


Northampton Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder says he has not applied for the job of England manager.

Mallinder was touted as a potential replacement for Martin Johnson before Stuart Lancaster took temporary charge ahead of the Six Nations.

"No, I haven't applied," Mallinder told BBC Look East.

"It's probably the best job in the world coaching wise. What a great opportunity. But it's got to be the right thing at the right time."

He added: "At the moment, I'm concerned with getting Northampton to win something. You can't be distracted, it's got to be full on and that's what I am, that's what the rest of the coaches are and that's what the players are.

"I spoke to [Rugby Football Union director of operations] Rob Andrew a month or so ago, as I have done previously. I expressed that one day I think it's a tremendous job to do.

"I'd like to do [England] at some time."

The deadline for applications for the role of England manager was Wednesday, with Lancaster, who has won his opening two Six Nations matches, the only confirmed candidate.

Former New Zealand assistant coach Wayne Smith has also ruled himself out of the running.

Mallinder, 45, is a former England Under-21s and Saxons coach and has been at the helm at Saints since 2007. He is contracted to the club until 2013.

In his five years at Franklin's Gardens he has won the LV= Cup and took Northampton to the Heineken Cup final last season, but has failed to go further than the Premiership play-off semi-finals.

Saints, currently third in the league, are through to the semi-finals of this season's LV= Cup but struggled in Europe, failing to progress through their group after winning just two of their six games.

Mallinder has overseen the development of established England internationals Chris Ashton, Courtney Lawes, Dylan Hartley, Ben Foden and Tom Wood at the Gardens.

His work with English talent was acknowledged when eight Saints players were named in Lancaster's initial Six Nations squad.