Wednesday 11 November 2015 14:42, UK
Will Greenwood expects the RFU to appoint a 'super coach' as successor to Stuart Lancaster.
Lancaster stepped down as England coach following a sub-standard World Cup campaign, with RFU CEO Ian Ritchie stating they 'will leave no stone unturned' as they begin the process of finding his replacement.
Exeter head coach Rob Baxter and Northampton's Jim Mallinder are two of the early front-runners but Greenwood does not expect the RFU to opt for another home-grown coach.
The World Cup winner told Sky Sports News HQ: "I don't think they'll go with a young English coach that hasn't won major trophies.
I suspect the RFU will go for one of the 'super coaches', who have won big tournaments such as Super Rugby, European Cups, Rugby Championships, Grand Slams and even World Cups.
"Long-term, Rob Baxter would be one to keep an eye on and I hope they are monitoring and mentoring him. He has worked wonders at Exeter Chiefs, but the home-grown coach looks to have its days numbered at this stage.
"I suspect they will go for one of the 'super coaches', who have won big tournaments such as Super Rugby, European Cups, Rugby Championships, Grand Slams and even World Cups.
"That list looks to be Warren Gatland, Steve Hansen, Wayne Smith, Joe Schmidt and Vern Cotter - these sorts of characters who have a vast pedigree in terms of winning major trophies and experience when coping with unbelievable levels of pressure, which is the way the England job is now.
"It carries with it so much more than just a whistle and a tracksuit, media responsibilities and sponsorship. The job title is the biggest in the world, and that's not said in an arrogant way."
Greenwood described Lancaster as an 'honourable' man who understood his position was no longer tenable after becoming the first host nation to be eliminated at the pool stages of a World Cup.
Lancaster led England to four consecutive second-place finishes in the Six Nations while his most memorable victory came against New Zealand in November 2012.
However, Greenwood felt the squad lacked the experience required to challenge for the World Cup and were 'overawed' during the tournament.
"Can you point to little incidents?" he said. "Back-row forwards gave away daft penalties against Wales. Brad Barritt, the senior defensive guy, made a huge error, and England didn't go for the points when they were on offer. That's the minutiae.
"As I look back now and see the style and manner of which New Zealand and Australia played, averaging around 55 to 60 caps per man, I think England's young team were overawed and we never really saw them able to express themselves at key moments in games.
"We mustn't forget they were beating Wales 25-18 with 10 minutes to go and that would have been good enough for a quarter-final berth, but it's clear the side just wasn't able to cope with the intensity of the World Cup.
"Even if they had made a quarter-final, they wouldn't have been able to go on and win the trophy."
Watch Sky Sports 2 HD at 7pm on Thursday night (before Harlequins v Montpellier) for a Rugby Special on England's Future, with Stuart Barnes, Dean Ryan and Ali Williams joining Alex Payne to discuss Lancaster's exit and more.
