THE FORMER South Africa coach Jake White yesterday heaped more pressure on the English RFU by reiterating his desire to replace Brian Ashton as England head coach.

The World Cup-winning coach, who has been out of the game since guiding the Springboks to the trophy in October, has made it clear that the England job is the only one that interests him in world rugby and that he would rule out any chance to step into the vacancy left by Eddie O'Sullivan at Ireland.

"I've made no secret of the fact that the job has always appealed to me," White said, "but England have their own review process under way and must decide what's right for them."

England's director of elite rugby, Rob Andrew, is presently conducting a review of the international season and is due to announce his verdict on the England management team on Wednesday. Yesterday he was meeting the former captain Martin Johnson, possibly with a view to making him team manager alongside Ashton, whom he wants to retain as coach, although there are misgivings on the RFU's management board about whether Ashton is the right man for the job.

Although England have underperformed since winning the world title in 2003, White believes they could be turned into world champions for 2011.

"I've said on many occasions that England is a great rugby nation with the style of players that suits the way I coach. The country has been to three World Cup finals and has an amazing depth of talent and coaching them would be an opportunity anyone would welcome."