Ian McGeechan could yet take over as England coach if the Rugby Football Union are prepared to buy Northampton's director of rugby out of his five-year contract. McGeechan, who turned the job down 10 days ago, is understood to be still interested in undertaking a representative role provided suitable terms and conditions can be worked out.

The former Scotland and Lions coach was deeply embarrassed last week by the RFU's mismanaged attempt to engineer a new appointment while the England coach Jack Rowell still held the job.

McGeechan did not want to be used as a convenient instrument to force Rowell to resign-which he did anyway on Wednesday-hence the Scot's decision to step out of the spotlight and instead concentrate on his club commitments.

Now that Rowell has departed the way is clear for a new coach to take up the reins without becoming embroiled in acrimonious political manoeuvres within the RFU.

After Northampton's defeat by Harlequins last Saturday McGeechan declined to make a statement spelling out his long-term plans for the club which several critics have tipped for relegation from the Premiership this season. The biggest stumbling block to McGeechan's possible appointment by the RFU remains the £400,000 compensation Northamptons are likely to insist on for his release.