England continued to cut ties with their dismal World Cup campaign when Stuart Lancaster was named caretaker coach for next year's Six Nations championship.
Lancaster will take charge while a permanent replacement is sought for Martin Johnson, with Graham Rowntree and Andy Farrell as his assistants.
Johnson resigned last month after England's World Cup quarter-final exit following a disappointing tournament rife with problems on and off the pitch.
Attacking coach Brian Smith did not seek a new contract following criticism of his performance by the England players and the future of two other members of Johnson's coaching team, Mike Ford and John Wells, is under discussion, acting Rugby Football Union (RFU) chief executive Stephen Brown said.
The 42-year-old Lancaster, a former Leeds forward, is currently in charge of the second-string England Saxons team. His first game in charge of England will be the start of its Six Nations defence against Scotland on February 4.
"I am proud to have this opportunity and feel a great sense of responsibility," Lancaster told a news conference.
"I am very privileged to be here. We have 41 games before the next World Cup and we want players with talent and character who are hungry and ambitious to achieve."
Reuters
Tags: rugby-union, sport, england, united-kingdom First posted December 09, 2011 11:33:25
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