Former South Africa and Italy coach Nick Mallett appears to have distanced himself from the England job © Getty Images

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News: Lancaster shifts focus after Six Nations

News: Mallett still in the England mix

Players/Officials: Stuart Lancaster | Nick Mallett

Teams: England

Former South Africa and Italy coach Nick Mallett appears to have distanced himself from the England job in the wake of England's strong showing in this year's Six Nations under interim boss Stuart Lancaster.

Mallett has long been considered the favourite succeed Martin Johnson who quit as England manager following last year's Rugby World Cup, but Lancaster's success in revitalising the team - culminating with a 30-9 victory over Ireland that secured second place in this year's Championship - has seemingly convinced him that the Rugby Football Union may opt to retain the current coaching team.

"You can't see the RFU wanting to change a coach when you look at the team and how happy they are," Mallett told Supersport before adding that it would take a "very brave" chief executive to displace Lancaster after a campaign that has also seen the side register victories over Scotland, Italy and France.

Lancaster, speaking at a post-match news conference, said: "I've just got to trust in the process. I've been on the other side of the fence interviewing people and I've just got to trust in the process. Now I will just enjoy the moment.

"Obviously, there's a bit made of the head coaching job, but I've got two lieutenants either side of me who deserve a bit of credit as well."

England beat Scotland at Murrayfield for the first time in eight years, they ended France's 10-match unbeaten run in Paris and today's victory was only England's second against Ireland in nine Championship meetings.

The bookmakers also appear to think that Lancaster is now in line for the full-time job with William Hill making him a red-hot 1/7 favourite with Mallett priced at 4/1.