WillGreenwood

The RFU's appointment of a three man interim England coaching team is a sensible move. Some observers will argue that the team are wasting six months but I think the 2012 Six Nations will give whoever takes over, probably in March, an excellent opportunity to assess the players in a big tournament.

Stuart Lancaster, who will be supported by Graham Rowntree and Andy Farrell, is a sound choice as stand-in head coach but he will be under no illusions about getting the job on a full-time basis. England are 4.1 to win the Six Nations and, even if they pull off a shock Grand Slam, I can't see Lancaster getting the nod. Mind you, it would throw up a fascinating conundrum for the RFU and bring some much-needed cheer to fans.

I'm pleased to see Rowntree - a fine servant for the Red Rose on and off the field - involved but I'm especially delighted for Farrell. There will be a few raised eyebrows at an ex-League man taking such a prominent role but he's done well at Saracens and, as a back, I always like to see somebody who believes in playing good football in the mix. I've been asked if I think this makes the selection of Owen Farrell more likely. As the son of an ex-England player and coach, I can vouch that a bit of nepotism does a player no harm. But if Owen carries on playing as he has been he will be in that squad when it's announced in January on pure merit.

Like many people, my faith in the RFU has been shaken in the last few months but I trust them to make the right appointments. The three leading candidates for the permanent England manager's role - Jim Mallinder, Nick Mallet and John Kirwan - would all be excellent appointments. I'm not privy to everything that goes on at Twickenham but I hear enough around the corridors to know that next week's appointment of an RFU CEO is set to be exciting. Expect a big name and expect England to start moving in the right direction sooner rather than later.

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