The 39-year-old is currently technical director and defence coach at Leicester Tigers but is understood to be seeking his first challenge as a No 1.

He was in the running to take the top job at Welford Road but that position appears to be going to South African Heyneke Meyer.

Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington set a deadline of July 1 to have a new director of rugby in place and a club spokesman confirmed yesterday that they are on course to appoint Lancaster's successor by early next week.

Back played 66 times for England and started in the World Cup final in Australia in 2003.

He has been defence coach at Leicester for four years, and is also the reserve team coach, and has made no secret of his desire to become a director of rugby.

As a high profile and recently-retired player with ambitions to succeed in coaching, Back would fit the bill for a Leeds side looking for an immediate return to the Guinness Premiership.

Phil Davies, who led Leeds to victory in the Powergen Cup final three years ago, is also believed to be in the mix.

He parted company with Llanelli Scarlets at the end of April but has also been linked to the role of youth development within the Welsh RFU, a similar position to that taken by Lancaster within the English set-up.

Former Rotherham coach Andre Bester is also in the frame.

Leeds announced yesterday that all their home games in National One will be played on Sundays at 3.00pm in a bid to continue the success of last season's increase in gates. They begin at home to Nottingham on Sunday, August 31.

Leeds's first Yorkshire derby is at home to Otley on Sunday, September 14, on the same day as Doncaster host Rotherham.

Rotherham host Leeds six days later with the return on January 4.

Leeds entertain Doncaster on Sunday, November 2, with the return on March 7, and they travel to Otley on December 27 with Rotherham v Doncaster again on the same day.

Doncaster open against Otley on Saturday, August 30, with the fixture reversed on December 13.

Full fixture lists available at www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/rugbyunion