World Cup-winning coach Jake White wants to succeed Stuart Lancaster – but only if first choice of England’s rugby bosses
World Cup-winning former South Africa coach Jake White has told England’s rugby bosses that he is interested in succeeding Stuart Lancaster – but only if he is their first choice.
White has emerged as one of the leading candidates to replace Lancaster, whose departure as England head coach was confirmed on Wednesday following a review into the nation’s dismal group-stage exit at the World Cup.
The 52-year-old has twice been approached by the Rugby Football Union [RFU] about the England job but lost out to Martin Johnson in 2008 and Lancaster four years later, and White is keen to avoid suffering a similar fate.
“If the RFU thinks I am the man for the job and there wasn’t going to be any rigmarole of going through the whole process which I have before then I would be a contender,” said White, whose Montpellier side lost 41-18 to Harlequins in the European Challenge Cup last night, in the shadow of Twickenham.
“If they genuinely think I’m the right guy and it’s the way forward for English rugby, then I would put my hand up. But I’ve been in this position before and I’ve said openly I don’t want to be in the middle of shortlists.”
White’s declaration came just a day after RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie insisted that he was prepared to break the bank in order to secure a coach with proven international experience to replace Lancaster.
Ex-Australia boss Eddie Jones and New Zealand duo Wayne Smith and Graham Henry have ruled themselves out of the running, as have Bath coach Mike Ford and Exeter counterpart Rob Baxter.
Two-time world coach of the year White was in charge of South Africa when the Springboks defeated England 15-6 at the Stade de France to seal victory in the 2007 World Cup final.