Jake White admits interest in England head coach role
Tuesday 6 October 2015 14:42, UK
Former South Africa coach Jake White has confirmed his interest in succeeding Stuart Lancaster should the RFU decide to make a change at the top of English rugby.
Lancaster's future has come under scrutiny following England's World Cup exit at the pool stages - the first time a host nation has failed to reach the knockout stages of the competition.
White, who has been linked with the England head coach position in the past, is currently in charge of Montpellier but he remains keen on making the move.
"England have everything going for them in terms of resources, players and history," he told the Daily Mail.
"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."
White, 52, believes it is time for England to look abroad for a coach after being passed over three times for senior RFU roles.
"When I was with the Boks, I was approached to put my name in for Rob Andrew's job [director of elite rugby]," he added. "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.
"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."
