Warren Gatland and Joe Schmidt are in the frame to succeed Eddie Jones as England head coach.

The Rugby Football Union has confirmed it has already begun a recruitment process to identify potential candidates to ensure there is a proper succession plan in place for when Jones steps down.

The Australian signed a two-year extension in January to stay in the role until 2021. However, his contract will be terminated if England do not meet the RFU’s performance target at next year’s World Cup in Japan.

The RFU are determined to have a plan in place for either scenario and significantly Steve Brown, the governing body’s chief executive, said that the head coaches of rival Home Unions were “not off limits”.

Top of the RFU’s criteria are head coaches with proven success on the international stage and Gatland and Schmidt, whose contracts expire after the World Cup in Japan, would both be considered as strong contenders for the position.

Schmidt coached Ireland to the Grand Slam this season and Gatland masterminded the British and Irish Lions drawn series against the All Blacks last year and has coached Wales to three Six Nations titles including two Grand Slams.