Rugby: Jake White puts hand up for England job

England's coach Stuart Lancaster observes his players warm-up before the Rugby World Cup Pool A match between England and Australia. Photo / AP.

South African World Cup winner Jake White has put himself forward for the England coaching job.

With Stuart Lancaster considering his future, the RFU must decide how they take the young Red Rose squad forward to 2019.

White has been sounded out in the past for the England position, with the Montpellier coach describing it as the 'biggest job in world rugby'.

'England have everything going for them in terms of resources, players and history,' said White, 52, who led the Springboks to World Cup glory in 2007.

'If they were genuinely interested and they approached me, of course I would be interested. It's one of the biggest jobs in world sport and you'd be crazy not to consider it.

'When I was with the Boks, I was approached to put my name in for Rob Andrew's job. Then they contacted me before appointing Martin Johnson and Stuart Lancaster.

'All three times, they've gone for English people. Generally it's used as a means to make the other candidates look like they have a bit of credence.'

Japan coach Eddie Jones has also emerged as a front-runner after revealing in yesterday's Sportsmail that he would enter discussions if approached.

Like Jones, White has big Test nous which he believes is crucial. 'Since 2003, England have been going backwards,' said White. 'They made the final in 2007 but it was a shambles. In 2011 they got knocked out early and in 2015 they got knocked out even earlier.

'For a big rugby nation like England to be eighth in the world isn't right.

'International rugby shouldn't be a learning curve for coaches. It's a business now. The last three World Cups must send a message: if you go for a coach who's never coached international rugby, it's going to be same old, same old.

'They've tried it with Andy Robinson, Martin Johnson and Stuart Lancaster. They have one of the biggest budgets in the world but their coaches only have a few years' experience.'