Jim Mallinder favourite to become next England coach

Northampton chief Jim Mallinder was made favourite to take over as England's rugby union coach by Sky Bet on Wednesday.

Mallinder, who led the Saints to the Aviva Premiership title in 2013/14 and has also taken them to the European Champions Cup final, was chalked up at 5/1 to replace Stuart Lancaster, who left the role "by mutual consent" following his side's group-stage exit at the recent World Cup.

Mallinder replaced early favourite Michael Cheika, the current Australia coach.

The former England Saxons boss was just ahead of South African World Cup winner Jake White in the betting on Wednesday afternoon with White, who led the Springboks to glory in 2007, offered at 11/2.

He has already made strong noises about the possibility of succeeding Lancaster, saying in the wake of England's World Cup exit: "If they were genuinely interested and they approached me, of course I would be interested. It's one of the biggest jobs in world sport and you'd be crazy not to consider it."

Eddie Jones, who has just finished a stint as Japan coach, came next in the betting at 6/1 with Cheika's odds pushed out to 7s.

Two more Premiership coaches, Bath's Mike Ford and Exeter's Rob Baxter, were both at 8/1.

Other interesting names in the betting included Dean Ryan, a man long linked with the post, at 14/1, and 2003 World Cup winner Mike Catt at 18s, who has been part of Lancaster's backroom team.

Wales coach Warren Gatland could be backed at 25/1, the same price as the man who led England to that 2003 global success Down Under, Sir Clive Woodward.

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Englishman Shaun Edwards, currently a member of Gatland's coaching staff, was on offer at 18/1.

Sky Bet's Chris Kennedy said: "Money has been split across the board in our next England rugby coach market.

"Jim Mallinder currently sits at the head of our field with some punters taking the view that he is the best of the English candidates.

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"Of the rest, Jake White has been well supported after his public declaration of interest and Michael Cheika has been most popular of all today with rumours abound that England had been sounding him out regarding the position over the past few days.

"However, what seems very clear from our early money is that the position is still very much up for grabs as the powers that be deliberate over the next appointment."

Odds correct at 1545 GMT on 11/11/15.