Japan coach Eddie Jones will listen to an approach from the Rugby Football Union if Stuart Lancaster leaves his role as England head coach.

The RFU says there will be no knee-jerk reaction to England's dismal World Cup campaign but if the governing body opts to go in a new coaching direction following the review of the tournament, Jones will be one of the contenders in the frame to take over the reins.

England have never appointed a foreign coach and Jones namechecks Northampton's Jim Mallinder and Newcastle's Dean Richards as possible candidates to replace Lancaster if he leaves.

The Japan coach will listen to the RFU if contact is made but one stumbling block would be the deal he signed just two weeks ago to take over at the Stormers. "If England approached me, would I listen to them? Of course I would, but whether the RFU part ways with Stuart Lancaster is a big and difficult decision," Jones wrote in his column in the Daily Mail.

Japan head coach Eddie Jones faces the media© Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

"A proper review is needed to find out why they changed strategy halfway through the tournament. A lot of time has been invested in to Lancaster and his squad have enormous potential, so he needs to convince the board that he can take those youngsters forward to 2019."

While Lancaster's role is under pressure, the scrutiny runs to wider areas of the RFU with CEO Ian Ritchie and professional rugby director Rob Andrew also in the spotlight. Sir Clive Woodward has emerged as a figure who could potentially be persuaded to return in some capacity.

Jones added: "A double act between Clive and myself would be interesting. It's not the sort of job I'll go out chasing, but I'd certainly chat to them if they thought I was the right man for the role."