Steve Borthwick is set to take charge of England in time for the Six Nations after Twickenham bosses moved swiftly to replace Eddie Jones.
The Cumbrian, who worked for five years with England under Jones between 2015-20, is the No1 choice to restore the nation’s flagging fortunes.
Within hours of dismissing the Australian, RFU boss Bill Sweeney contacted Leicester, where Borthwick is head coach, to start negotiations on an early release.