He will face two reviews, the first headed by the Rugby Football Union’s rugby director Rob Andrew and the second by former RFU vice-chairman Fran Cotton, before a decision is made over whether he will remain in the role.

And Mallinder, who coached the England Under-21s to RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam glory in 2006, said it would be difficult to turn down the job should an offer come his way.

“Every player should want to aspire to play for his country and I think that’s probably the same for coaches too,” he said.

“You should always aspire to be the very best you can.”

A former fullback for Sale Sharks, Mallinder notched up two England caps of his own in 1997, before ending his playing career in 2001.

He triumphed with the England Saxons in the 2007 Churchill Cup, and last year took Northampton to the final of the Heineken Cup.

Meanwhile Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill has ruled himself out of the race to potentially replace Johnson, insisting he is not yet ready for the role.

“The England job is huge,” he said. “For me, given 10 years more experience I might think about it, but I’m still trying to master the club game, never mind Test match rugby.”