Stuart Lancaster: Wayne Smith the ideal coach for England

?But equally it is a coaching role. I would set the overall framework of how we are going to play and then coaches within the coaching team would work on that detail. When Andy, Graham and I worked together, we always had an integrated approach.

?The role for Wayne is the same as what Andy did. I would keep doing my role as head coach but clearly when you have got someone with his breadth of experience ? he is defence coach for the Waikato Chiefs but he can coach attack ? and will be coaching attack.?

Lancaster said Smith had been excited by his vision for England leading to the 2015 World Cup, drawing comparisons with New Zealand in 2004.

?I had a really good chat with him,? Lancaster said. ?He has got some decisions to make of his own. Clearly the lure of international rugby is a strong one for him. He enjoyed his time at Northampton and in England, and I think he was excited by the vision that I presented to him about where we were going as a team.

?I talked about the history and the journey from the end of the World Cup in 2011 through to the end of the Six Nations. He actually talked about how that reminded him of New Zealand in 2004 and how a new leadership group emerged and a new group of players emerged.

?Obviously that leadership group and team didn?t quite cross the line in 2007 but they stuck with it and the coaching team, and got across the line in 2011. We had a really good conversation about that and he could really resonate about where we were going. I think he could see that we were prepared to give young players a chance and that we were prepared to play with a no-fear approach.?

Smith, who was a key member of the coaching team who guided the All Blacks to World Cup victory in October last year, said yesterday he would have to ?search inside? himself to see whether he could coach a team against the All Blacks.

His other ?major considerations? were the impact on his family and his obligations to the Waikato Chiefs. He signed a two-year contract with the Super 15 franchise after the World Cup, but has an exit clause allowing his release in August.

Lancaster also said he had had talks with Mike Catt, who is expected to be confirmed next week as interim coach for the South Africa tour. He also revealed that he had held talks with Alex King, the Clermont Auvergne assistant coach, but that the former Wasps fly-half?s Top 14 commitments had ruled him out.

Lancaster said he was keen to get advice from England?s World Cup-winning coach, Sir Clive Woodward, once he returned from South Africa.

east west shrine game haywire underworld awakening carlos pena