England are open to the possibility of Eddie Jones remaining beyond the 2019 World Cup, and are willing to look overseas once again if the Australian does step down.
Jones has overseen nine straight victories since taking over following England's World Cup exit last year, but has said he intends to "watch cricket in Barbados" once Japan 2019 is over and said last November that grooming an English successor is a "fundamental" part of his role.
However, chief executive Ian Ritchie says if no suitable candidate emerges, the RFU would consider both scenarios of extending Jones' tenure and recruiting overseas.
"Eddie's contract ending in 2019 is certainly the discussion that we had, but it's up to him. Who can tell what happens over the next three years or so?" Ritchie said.
"I'm working on the assumption of 2019 because that's what we did the deal on in the first place. As it moves and develops, no doubt we'll sit down and discuss it together. I do think it's early doors.
"I think when we get nearer to it, and it depends on how he sees it, if he's changed his mind, and whether we want to ask.
"When Eddie came in there was a discussion about his assistants being English and we've got to get a situation of better integrated coach development.
"We'll be happy if there is an English coach who stands up to that. If we haven't, we'll need to go back to someone with proven international experience."
Nigel Melville, the RFU's director for professional rugby who left his post at USA Rugby to work at Twickenham, highlights the importance of looking overseas if there are no suitable domestic candidates.
"In America we always wanted to have an American coach in charge of the American team," he said.
"When we did he was very good for the environment but he wasn't necessarily good for our rugby and we had to bring in an international coach.
"We'd love our coaches to be English if they're good enough. We've got to give them the right education and opportunity."