A window may yet open in the England coaching set-up that will see Wayne Smith join the newly appointed Stuart Lancaster.
Smith, the former All Black assistant and current Chiefs technical director, is keen to take an international role and almost certainly would have joined the England set-up in some capacity had Nick Mallett been awarded the head job.
But Mallett was rejected in favour of interim coach Lancaster who led England to a respectable four wins from five in the Six Nations. That was enough for Lancaster to be offered the role through to the World Cup and he wants to maintain his current coaching team of Graham Rowntree and Andy Farrell.
Doubts have been raised, however, about whether Farrell will be available, as he was released to the national set-up only on a temporary basis.
Farrell, the former rugby league star, is contracted to coach Saracens for another two years and the London club don't want to let him go.