Clive Woodward will lock horns with NZ coach Graham Henry

Woodward said he had been asked by the chairman of the Four Home Unions, Bill Beaumont, although he stressed he had not been offered the job.

"I've had a couple of phone calls from Billy Beaumont," Woodward told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I said I would talk to him after I get back from holiday."

Woodward's unparalleled success with England this year makes him the overwhelming favourite for the job, with Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan the only real alternative.

One possible obstacle to the appointment could be Woodward's desire to take the core of his England backroom set-up with him.

He added: "I would not want to do it unless I was working with the majority of the people I work with here."

If Woodward is appointed it would result in him coming up against former Wales coach Graham Henry, who has replaced John Mitchell as the All Blacks coach.

Beaumont will have to persuade both the chosen coach and their respective union that the job would not interfere with their commitments to their country.

Woodward is contracted to England until the 2007 World Cup.

"We don't want the guy appointed to take time out of his day job," said Beaumont.

"We're talking a seven-week challenge here rather than a four-year World Cup one."

The Lions will play three Tests in New Zealand in 18 months time.