Mallinder rules out England job — for now

Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder has joined former New Zealand assistant Wayne Smith in ruling himself out of contention to be the next permanent England head coach.

Mallinder, touted as one of the leading candidates to be Martin Johnson’s long-term successor, has confirmed he did not apply for the job before Wednesday’s deadline.

Smith took up a coaching role with the Chiefs Super 15 franchise after helping the All Blacks win the 2011 Rugby World Cup and said the timing was wrong.