NORTHAMPTON boss Jim Mallinder has been installed as the early favourite to replace departed England manager Martin Johnson, with former players quick to put forward the name of their own favourite.
But there is also a heavy overseas contingent among the bookmakers’ front-runners for a post vacated by Johnson’s resignation following three and a half years in the post.
Former England full-back Mallinder is a 5/2 shot with William Hill, but ex-South Africa and Italy coach Nick Mallett is close behind, while Jake White, Graham Henry and Eddie Jones also feature prominently.
Yorkshireman Mallinder, 45, led Northampton back into the Premiership during his first season at the helm in 2007/08, and under his guidance Saints went on to win the European Challenge Cup, Anglo-Welsh Cup and reach last season’s Heineken Cup final.
He has also enjoyed success at representative level, steering England Under-21s to Six Nations title success in 2006 before claiming 15 wins out of 16 games as England Saxons supremo.
Former England scrum-half Dewi Morris, though, believes the Rugby Football Union should turn to Mallett as Johnson’s successor.
“If I was choosing it would be someone who had the experience of Mallett,” Morris said.
“He is someone of great stature who can actually knock a few heads together, which I think needs to be done.”
As for Johnson’s exit, Morris added: “I think he has done the honourable thing and is probably sick to the back teeth about what has been going on.”
