Leeds are certain that England have appointed the right man in former Carnegie head coach Stuart Lancaster as their interim team manager.

Carnegie’s current head coach Diccon Edwards, a former team-mate and colleague of Lancaster, said: “Stuart has done an outstanding job over many years in whatever role he has performed.

“I know he will relish taking this job on and helping England through a difficult period.

“He will know that the squad contains world-class players, who, by their own admission, under-performed at the World Cup.

“I am sure that Stuart will create an environment that means they can put that experience behind them and begin to look forward to the Six Nations.”

Leeds’ United States international Mike MacDonald, who played for Lancaster in his first two seasons at Carnegie, said: “I am really pleased for Stuart and I think the RFU making him their interim manager is a very smart move.”