Lancaster certain he has what it takes to lead England revival

Such was the dominant nature of England’s second-half destruction of Ireland that Nick Mallett – the leading outside candidate – effectively handed the initiative to Lancaster.

“You can’t see the RFU wanting to change the coach after that,” said Mallett, after England concluded their Six Nations campaign with a fourth win in five games.

“Look at the team and how happy they are. It will take a brave CEO to replace Stuart Lancaster.”

Mallett was speaking as a pundit for South Africa’s SuperSport TV after watching England’s systematic dismantling of Ireland. The Rugby Football Union’s chief executive Ian Ritchie is set to name the permanent successor to Martin Johnson in the coming days.

The claims of former Leeds player and coach Lancaster are now impossible to ignore. The 42-year-old has turned English rugby around and proven that present day accomplishments outweigh past experience.

In guiding England to four wins he matched the best start of an England coach since Mike Davis won the grand slam in 1980.

In the immediate aftermath of Saturday’s 30-9 win over Ireland he launched a thinly veiled defence of his record.

“A lot has been made about experience but there’s a lot to be said for performance,” he said.

An hour later, having had time to let the euphoria sink in following a triumphant lap of honour around a sodden Twickenham, he was more composed.

Lancaster said: “I was always confident that to be successful you have to have had experience of the Premiership, you have to understand England’s culture, to know about the young players, you have to have knowledge of the previous environment and I think I had all that.

“The only experience I didn’t have was the games and I’ve learned as I’ve gone along and tried to get up to speed as quickly as I can with international coaching. I’ve still got loads to do, but I’d happily have belief over experience, and I have that belief.

“International coaching is hugely demanding, but part of the dynamic is to get the best out of people and build a team and a culture that people buy into.

“And as we have proven in the performance, the players have done that.”

On Mallett’s appraisal of the situation, Lancaster added: “I don’t know who else is involved in the process.

“Lots of people have offered opinions and some positive, some less so. But our mindset has always been about controlling the controllables, about believing in our own messages.

“It’s nice for people to say nice things, there’s no doubt about it, but equally I tend to make sure we keep our own message internal.”

Even without a permanent head coach in place, the clamour for Lancaster’s appointment is gathering momentum.

His England were acclaimed for the power of their scrum and their ruthlessness in dispatching Ireland on Saturday.

And Lancaster plans to hold a briefing with the media tomorrow where he will draw a line under the Six Nations campaign by plotting a course for the future. Talk is also already turning to the retention of Andy Farrell as one of his two assistants.

Lancaster has been unequivocal in the praise of his supporting cast of Farrell and Graham Rowntree.

But with Farrell returning to work with Saracens today, whether or not the RFU can buy him out of his club contract will be the first order of business should Lancaster be appointed.

“Coaching teams depend on the skill set of the people involved,” said Lancaster, who also hinted at continuing with just a three-man coaching team.

“It was short notice when I got the appointment.

“I knew Graham and I knew Andy from coaching the Saxons and I knew the three of us could compliment each other.

“We’ve had specialist support but I think the reason it’s worked so successfully is the three of us have worked together so well, and have shared the work.

“It helps the communication process and the clarity of the message.

“The Six Nations has to be the most demanding, other than a World Cup, of the tournaments you’re involved in. You’ve got five games in eight weeks and we have come through this all right, and if we’ve done that after taking over less than a month before the first game then we’re OK.”

Lancaster also praised Wales as worthy grand slam winners, but saw something in their make up that he admired.

“When you looked at our game three weeks ago the two teams were similarly matched in age, but the caps were chalk and cheese,” he said. “It’s not something we want to follow, but definitely there’s a lot more to be gained by giving young players experience and trusting in them.

“And we trust our players.”