• Paris win does not guarantee interim coach permanent role
• Ian Ritchie says RFU will still speak to other candidates
Stuart Lancaster has been told by the Rugby Football Union's chief executive, Ian Ritchie, that England's stirring win in Paris will not guarantee him the role of permanent head coach. Ritchie said the RFU will stick to its worldwide recruitment process and ruled out making an appointment before the Six Nations concludes this weekend.
The manner of England's 24-22 victory over France has significantly strengthened Lancaster's claims and there is widespread support for the caretaker within the dressing room. Ritchie, though, has sounded a deliberate note of caution and spoken of the "difficult decision" facing the RFU as it seeks to appoint a long-term successor to Martin Johnson.
"Winning in Paris, fantastic though it is and a great win, does not change what we will go through," said Ritchie, who has been in his job barely a fortnight. "It is not going to be based on what happens in the Six Nations alone, whether we had lost to France, whether we had won or what happens against Ireland next weekend. We are going through a proper process to try and find the best possible candidate."
Ritchie would appear anxious not to upset Nick Mallett, the initial favourite for the job, or any other candidates lurking in the background. He did concede Lancaster had made an excellent impression but stopped well short of endorsing the growing clamour for the interim coach to be put in charge of the team's attempt to win the 2015 World Cup on home soil.
"I am of the view we have a great list of people interested in the job and I include Stuart in that," he added. "He is putting his best foot forward but it is a comparative process. We certainly won't be announcing anything before the end of the Six Nations. It is a big call and a difficult decision. We have some interesting, difficult choices because there have always been some good people applying for it."
The reality is that Lancaster, for all the right reasons, now has a rising tide of public support. Another good performance against Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday would complete a better than expected tournament and Lancaster could be heard on Monday discussing his "old role" with the RFU in the past tense. He made no secret of his desire to continue the job he has started with his assistants, Graham Rowntree and Andy Farrell. "While I enjoyed the old job my passion is coaching," he said. "I was always confident I could build a team."
Lancaster has enjoyed a further boost with the confirmation that England have risen two places to fourth in the IRB world rankings, improving their chances of a favourable pool draw at the World Cup.
Rather more depressing was the news that Tom Rees, the Wasps and England flanker, has been forced to retire at the age of 27 because of knee problems. The popular and highly respected Rees won 15 caps and was regarded from a young age as a potential captain of his country. He now intends to train to become a doctor. "Whilst I will always think what might have been, I will also look back at what I achieved with a great deal of pride," Rees said.
Gregor Townsend is to become Glasgow's new head coach in succession to Sean Lineen, who has been appointed as the Scottish Rugby Union's head of player acquisition.