Mallinder previously coached England's Academy and Saxons teams

Northampton chairman Keith Barwell says they would let director of rugby Jim Mallinder go if England wanted him.

The club hope to keep their director at Franklin's Gardens for as long as possible, despite his name being linked with the England role in the future.

"With England now playing well, it takes the pressure off Northampton," Barwell told BBC Radio Northampton.

"But we'd be very proud - in fact we'd be irritated - if they didn't choose him. We don't stop them from going."

He added: "One would hope they're going to leave Martin Johnson and the current coaching team there until after the World Cup."

Mallinder and his fellow coaches - Dorian West and Paul Grayson - have steered Northampton to the top of the Premiership following a superb start to the current season.

It represents a remarkable transformation since Mallinder arrived at Franklin's Gardens three and a half years ago, in the immediate aftermath of the club's relegation from the Premiership.

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