Wayne Smith will decide within 10 days whether to become England’s new head coach under a revised management team that will see Stuart Lancaster effectively assume the role of director of rugby.
Lancaster met Smith, who was part of the New Zealand set-up when they won the 2011 World Cup, in South Africa and offered him control of the coaching set-up while he deals with the strategic planning and overall command.
This shift in roles — Lancaster was in overall charge of coaching alongside Andy Farrell and Graham Rowntree during the Six Nations — confirms Lancaster realises he lacks the international coaching experience needed for the run-up to the 2015 World Cup.
It also explains why England did not ensure that Farrell remained part of the coaching team after he took charge of the backs and defence in the Championship.
Smith looks certain to take the job although he revealed today he would feel uncomfortable about facing the All Blacks — who will play at Twickenham in the autumn. He said: “Having put the last eight years of my life into coaching the All Blacks, I will have to search inside myself to see whether I could coach a team against them. It’s not just going to any team, it’s going to a team that will potentially challenge the All Blacks, so I’ve got to be clear in my mind I could be a part of that.
“Stuart knows what needs to be done because it’s not just about coaching players as we’ve found out with the All Blacks. It’s aligning all your provincial coaches and club coaches because they’re the people coaching your players.
“Stuart wants some on-field coaches, he will be in charge of strategy and alignment and the campaign overall.”
Smith took up a two-year contract with the Chiefs this year but he has an exit clause in his contract and could be at Twickenham after the Super 15 season ends in August.
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