RFU chief plays down impact of Paris win

England interim coach Stuart Lancaster has been warned that his team’s impressive 24-22 Six Nations victory over France will not necessarily mean that he is guaranteed to land the job full-time.

The Paris win led to calls for Rugby Football Union chiefs to install Lancaster as England coach on a permanent basis, with South African Nick Mallett believed to be his main rival for the post.

However, RFU chief Ian Ritchie warned that while Lancaster’s application had been strengthened by results in the Six Nations, other factors would be taken into consideration when applicants for the job were being considered.

“Stuart has been doing a fantastic job and this was a great result, it is a helpful thing to strengthen his case,” Ritchie said.

“We are going through a pro-cess. It is not going to be based on what happens in the Six Nations alone.

“Winning against France in Paris, fantastic though it is and a great win, does not change what we will go through.”