The RFU has confirmed that it would be open to releasing Stuart Lancaster from his England duties in order to take charge of the British and Irish Lions in 2017.
Wales' Warren Gatland was at the helm of the 2013 side that secured a 2-1 series win over Australia, which was the team's first series triumph since 1997.
"The timetable for looking at Lions coaches is into 2016, so no doubt everyone will evaluate that against the World Cup performance," RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.
"We had Andy Farrell and Graham Rowntree as assistant coaches on the last tour and I think it's a great honour to be the Lions coach, so if Stuart was selected and if he wanted to do it, we'd regard it as an honour and of course we'd release him for it."
The Lions will play three Tests against the All Blacks in July 2017.
