Monday 16 November 2015 17:15, UK
The hunt for Stuart Lancaster's replacement continues after he stepped down following a disappointing World Cup where England became the first host nation not to make the knockout stages.
RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie is now leading the search for a coach of "proven international experience", which suggests England will be looking at a foreigner to take the reins.
England kick off their 2016 6 Nations campaign against Scotland in Murrayfield on February 6, and Will Greenwood says the RFU would want to have their man in place by then.
"I think an interim set-up is option B for England," explained Greenwood on the Rugby Club Wrap-Up.
"We must not forget that currently Mike Catt, Andy Farrell and Graham Rowntree are still in situ. If there was no announcement made in the short term, these gentlemen - who have done some astounding stuff for England down the years, both playing and coaching - would be the interim coaches for the 6 Nations.
"Option A would be to sound out the coach you want, he accepts and he leaves the country he is already working for - I presume we are all talking about Michael Cheika, Steve Hansen, Vern Cotter, Joe Schmidt and Warren Gatland, because proven international experience is what Ian Ritchie has come out and said he wants.
"He has also said that the RFU will not be afraid to spend the cash to get the guy they want.
Of course they are going to deny it - if you are a Welsh fan and Warren Gatland goes for the England job and doesn't get it, they won't want him back! There is a game of cat and mouse going on.
"Obviously all these coaches will immediately say that they are not interested in the job, and have ruled themselves out because none of them want to go for an interview.
"They are saying 'come and get me'. If you have a job with Ireland, Wales, Australia or New Zealand, why would you go for a job somewhere else where you might not get it?
"Of course they are going to deny it - if you are a Welsh fan and Warren Gatland goes for the England job and doesn't get it, they won't want him back! There is a game of cat and mouse going on."
A great gig
One of those 'candidates' who has ruled himself out is Australia's Michael Cheika, who is in London at the moment coaching the Barbarians against Argentina. Greenwood is hoping that Ritchie will be speaking to Cheika this week, despite the latter ruling out an England switch.
"I love Cheika's demeanour," added Greenwood. "Not only that, but he has won the European Cup, he has won the Super Rugby and he has taken Australia to a World Cup final.
"He has got the best out of players. He has brought players back from France like Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell, so he is certainly right up there for me.
"I still believe that it is a wonderful job to have - the most funded resourced nation with some quality players who we have just seen in Europe. It is a great gig.
"I would be very excited to see a Cheika or a Joe Schmidt lead England out at the 6 Nations. But in that coaching staff, I would want Paul Gustard as defensive coach and I would want Rob Baxter involved."
