England uncertainty leaves coach Rowntree in limbo

The Rugby Football Union are in the process of recruiting a new permanent head coach, who will be charged with leading England into the 2015 World Cup on home soil.

After Jake White last week ruled himself out of contention, the RFU would appear to have a straight choice between current interim boss Stuart Lancaster and Nick Mallett.

A decision will not be made until after the Six Nations has finished and Rowntree revealed the uncertainty of his future is affecting his loved ones.

“My wife understands the situation, she understands my feelings post-World Cup and she understands my feelings now. She has always been very supportive,” Rowntree said. “She is frustrated because there is a lot up in the air at the moment.

“It is not just us. There are 20-plus guys in the management who are all saying ‘What will we be doing in six months’ time?’.

“The (decision) is out of our hands. All we can do is try and do our jobs to the greatest of our ability.

“Of course it is (strange) – but we are beyond strange.”

The temporary coaching team of Lancaster, Rowntree and Andy Farrell have transformed England’s fortunes since the dark days of last autumn’s World Cup in New Zealand.

England are now fourth in the world following Sunday’s 24-22 victory over France and, mathematically at least, they head into the final weekend of the Six Nations with a shot at the title.

No England side has won all three away matches in one Championship season before and in Paris they underscored three exhilarating tries with another committed defensive performance. Rowntree believes the so-called “three wise men” model is the way forward and he has found great fulfilment working alongside Lancaster and Farrell.

He explained: “We are covering a lot of bases with fewer coaches and I think it is the way forward. It does mean having to work 16 hours a day but it has been fantastic.

“This system works for us. I was part of a larger coaching team before (under Martin Johnson) and our record was quite successful. We had some famous victories.

“But for this group of coaches it has worked well.”

England No 8 Phil Dowson remains in contention to face Ireland despite being knocked out in the closing stages of last weekend’s 24-22 victory over France.

Dowson collided with France centre Wesley Fofana as he dived on a loose ball.

He has been retained in a 24-man England training squad along with David Strettle.