Mallett is much admired in England

Mallett is contracted as director of rugby at Western Province until 2007.

"I have not considered anything else until after the next World Cup, but the position with England does sound interesting," he told The Guardian.

"I would have no problems working in England or for the RFU. There are not many of these jobs around and you have to move to get them."

The RFU is set to place advertisements later this week for the three full-time assistant coach positions (forwards, defence and attack).

They were made vacant by last week's overhaul of Andy Robinson's support team, with an advert for the new elite rugby director to follow next week.

Rugby is not a sport where you have to dedicate yourself to a single country Nick Mallett

RFU chief executive Francis Baron has indicated he expects the appointment to take "weeks or months", but should be encouraged by Mallett's interest.

Hertfordshire-born Mallett coached South Africa to a world record-equalling 17 successive Test victories in 1997-98.

The 49-year-old was a candidate for the RFU's performance director role, later taken by Chris Spice, in 2000 after resigning as Springboks coach.

Instead he went to France, where he led Stade Francais to the French title in his first season in charge before returning to South Africa two years ago.

"I have spent 12 years in France and played rugby in England and Italy," Mallett added. "Rugby is not a sport where you have to dedicate yourself to a single country.