Clive Woodward, England's World Cup-winning coach, is set for new year talks which could result in him leading the 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand.
Woodward today admitted that he has been approached by Bill Beaumont, chairman of the Four Home Unions, although he stressed he has not yet been offered the job.
"I've had a couple of phone calls from Billy Beaumont but that's about all it is so far," said Woodward.
"Billy asked me if I was interested in it and I said I would talk to him after I get back from holiday," added Woodward, who is bound for a family skiing trip to Verbier in Switzerland after England's match against the New Zealand Barbarians at Twickenham tomorrow.
Woodward's success with England this year makes him the overwhelming favourite for the job, with Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan the only real alternative at the moment given the fact that Scotland's Ian McGeechan recently stepped aside and Wales coach Steve Hansen is returning home to New Zealand after next year's Six Nations championship.
One possible obstacle to the appointment could be Woodward's desire to take the core of his England backroom set-up with him.
He added: "I would not want to do it unless I was working with the majority of the people I work with here."
If Woodward is appointed it would result in him coming up against former Wales coach Graham Henry, who was today named to replace John Mitchell as the All Blacks coach.