Rugby Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie said England will be seeking a coach of “proven international experience” yesterday, hinting that the person replacing Stuart Lancaster may not be homegrown.

Lancaster paid the price for England’s dismal World Cup campaign by stepping down as head coach, a decision the RFU board “unanimously accepted.”

Ritchie said the decision to remove Lancaster was made only after seeking the opinion of 59 different people involved in England rugby and that the decision would not be rushed.

But with a lack of English coaches on the international stage, the job is likely to be given to someone from outside of Britain with New Zealand-born Joe Schmidt and Australian Michael Chieka early favourites.

He said: “The most important thing is to get the right person. It’s very important we get a head coach of proven international experience. Speed is important, but the right person is more important.

“Our focus is upon recruiting the best possible head coach. While this is a priority, it’s important we take sufficient time to find the right person.”

Will Greenwood, 2003 World

Cup winner, believes that instead of England turning to a young homegrown coach, they will opt for someone of world-class talent.

“There will be a variety of names put forward,” he said. “I don’t think they’d go with a young English coach who’s not won big trophies yet.

“Long term, (Rob) Baxter of Exeter Chiefs will be one to keep an eye on. I hope they’re monitoring him, mentoring him — he’s worked wonders with Exeter.

“But I think they will go with one of the super coaches, a coach that has won big tournaments, whether it be in Super Rugby, European Cups, Tri Nations, Rugby Championships, Grand Slams and even World Cups.

“That list appears to be Warren Gatland, Steve Hansen, Wayne Smith, Joe Schmidt. These sort of characters have vast pedigree in terms of winning major trophies.”

Northampton assistant coach Dorian West would also like to see an Englishman replace Lancaster.

“You’d like to think so. That knowledge of the players and how the clubs work, that’s pretty important,” West said. “You’d hope so but there’s no guarantees. They will pick whoever they think is the best man for the job.”

One Englishman who could potentially replace Lancaster is Northampton boss Jim Mallinder, who has worked with the under-21 side.

“Jim’s been in the Premiership coaching for a long time and he’s had a spell with England as well so he knows what the job’s about,” West added.