KEY POINTS:
A few months ago when England were looking for a director of rugby, Warren Gatland was supposedly on the short-list.
Now England are looking for a head coach, Gatland is supposedly on the short-list. If South Africa had axed Jake White last week, no doubt Gatland would have
been on that short-list, too.
He says he's flattered at being linked to major jobs. As Oscar Wilde said, the only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.
But he also admitted last week to being fed up with the speculation. No matter how much he denies any interest, the speculation is incessant.
He was in the UK last week on a long-planned holiday and that simply stoked the fires.
England's director of rugby Rob Andrew has confirmed that a new man will not be appointed to replace outgoing coach Andy Robinson until later this month.
The search will be extensive and no question, Gatland will come under consideration. He's got international experience with Ireland, revived the previously hapless Connacht, took Wasps to three consecutive league titles as well as the Heineken Cup and then led Waikato to provincial glory for the first time in 13 years.
His CV is untainted, which is why, when he says he's not interested in the England job, he really should be taken on his word.
Taking charge of England 10 months out from a World Cup would be career suicide.
The civil war between the English clubs and the RFU has brought the game to its knees.
The players have been flogged for too long. The majority of test players are just hanging in there - physically and mentally.
They earn their bread and butter in club environments blighted by the spectre of relegation.
The emphasis is on playing not to lose and the chronic lack of skill and understanding of expansive football was horribly apparent on four consecutive weekends at Twickenham last month.
And yet, despite recent results and despite not having the players to cut it at the top level, England will travel to France as the defending champions and the expectation will be unrealistically high.
A likely salary of £300,000 ($900,000) a year starts to look a little light when it is weighed against the potential damage to a hard-earned reputation.
Besides, why would Gatland want to leave, having only just signed a contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union until the end of next year?
His ultimate dream is to coach the All Blacks.
He's progressing through the New Zealand system having used his success with Waikato to earn the assistant coaching job with the Chiefs.
Opportunities within New Zealand will open next year. Graham Henry might call it quits. Wayne Smith might stand down. Robbie Deans and David Nucifora will be off contract. Ian Foster could be ready for a new challenge. Would coaching England advance Gatland further up the pecking order to coach the All Blacks than staying where he is?
The answer to that is a resounding "no" and Gatland's career so far has been all about good judgement.
