Rugby: Gatland rules himself out of England job

Warren Gatland, Head Coach of Wales waves prior to the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between England and Wales. Photo / Getty Images.

Wales rugby coach Warren Gatland has counted himself out of the contest to be England's next rugby coach.

"I'm not interested in the England job," he said today.

After England's failure to go further than pool play at the World Cup and Stuart Lancaster's decision to quit his coaching post, Gatland has been in a pool of heavyweight names linked to the job vacancy.

He said any switch from Wales to England was not on his radar but media outlets in the UK continue to spout the theory that money will persuade Gatland to change his mind.

He told the Herald despite the widespread rumours and occupational flattery, coaching England was not on his must-do work sheet.

Gatland is contracted to coach Wales until the end of the 2019 World Cup and his employers indicated that they would demand a compensation payment of £1.2million if Gatland wanted to chase the England gig.

Former Springbok World Cup winning coach Jake White remains the bookies' favourite to replace Lancaster but said he had not been approached. He would not chase the job but would listen if England chased him.

"Since I finished with the Springboks (in 2007) I have always made it clear I have a burning desire to win another World Cup," White said. "I can win the World Cup for England. I would never be saying that I was keen on the job if I did not believe I could do it."

Gatland is a 52-year-old career coach who has been in charge of Wales since late 2007 and has led them to three Six Nations titles. He was assistant coach with the Lions in 2009 and then coach when they won the series in Australia in 2013.

Wales were eliminated in the recent WC quarterfinals and before he guides them in the Six Nations, Gatland is making preparations for Wales three test trip to New Zealand next June.