"I would love to coach Ellis Genge" - RFU's 'three man' shortlist to replace England boss Eddie Jones

Jones’ contract expires after the tournament in France and the Australian has entered what he has described as a “last chapter” in the hot seat at Twickenham.

Premiership bosses, including the highly successful Mark McCall (Saracens) and Rob Baxter (Exeter Chiefs) have been reportedly snubbed from the Rugby Football Unions initial three-man shortlist.

Check out who is reportedly in the running currently below.

The irony with Farrell is that he is arguably the most obvious candidate and fits the role as well as anyone, but he might be the toughest for the RFU to land due to his long-term deal with Ireland. Infamously dumped along side Mike Catt and Stuart Lancaster following England's disastrous 2015 World Cup campaign, he would certainly have a point to prove.

grandest and most high-profile job in world rugby. It is not a far-fetched notion, either; reports in the South African press last year suggested that Erasmus had held talks with the RFU about succeeding Jones, which were subsequently denied.

Among his quotes to the Daily Mail, he said: ‘I don’t think the English people would ever want me there now. Maybe I am wrong. I hope I am wrong. Would I coach another country? If my own people were cool with it and the other country’s people were cool with it then why not?

‘But if my own people are going to hate me for it, then I would never do it. I hate the fact that so many people hate me in rugby right now. I’m not a confrontational guy. I like to get on with people.

‘South Africa has my heart but coaching England would be amazing because I think they can win. I would love to coach Ellis Genge.

‘Any prop that looks the other prop in the eyes before a scrum, you know he’s a dog. You don’t want a prop that’s looking at his toes, scared. I want guys like Genge on my team.

‘If I felt like South Africans were not going to hate me on the street then I would consider it.’

Should they go in the direction of Gatland, they would get a man with incredible international experience who helped change the face of Welsh rugby during his 12 years in charge of the country up to 2019. With a host of international honours to his name and an already extensive knowledge of English talent thanks to his continued involvement with the Lions, this would arguably be the most risk free option on this list.

Reports suggest France defence coach Shaun Edwards, who worked alongside Gatland with Wales and the Lions, would be part of his coaching set-up when his contract across the channel expires in 2023.