Stephen Brown, acting chief executive of the RFU, insists that Stuart Lancaster is in the running to be England coach on a full-time basis.

Lancaster is currently caretaker coach of the national side following Martin Johnson's resignation after the World Cup. Lancaster is expected to be replaced after the Six Nations with head-hunting firm Odgers currently sourcing possible replacements.

But while coaches with much more experience than Lancaster - both domestically and internationally - have been linked with the role, Brown has reiterated that Lancaster could take the role in a full-time capacity.

"Stuart has made a fantastic impression and I'm sure if Stuart chooses to apply he will be given every consideration for that job," said Brown.

"Stuart has to make the decision about whether he wants to be considered for the role. If he does then we will make sure there is time (for him to make his case).

"The door is not shut, it's open. All of the good things you have seen Stuart has done have made a massive impact and that is the kind of thing you want.

"It is not just about the results. Clearly that is important and the focus - but we need to build a team that is strong from a performance point of view and from a cultural point of view for the long term.

"They are key bits we need in place and Stuart is focused on those things as well. That is the admirable bit about Stuart (given he is only in temporary charge).

"He is not just focused on winning, he wants to get all of those things in place and you have seen the building blocks starting. To be frank, everything Stuart has done has made a very positive impact."

While Lancaster is charged with putting England back on track on the field, the RFU has been forced to repair any damage done to the brand by the off-field fiasco at the World Cup. However, the RFU's chief commercial director, Sophie Goldschmidt, has revealed - on the same day the RFU announced a four-year deal with Lucozade and Maximuscle - that such damage is well on its way to being repaired.

"We have worked on a reputational damage rebuild plan since the Rugby World Cup," said Goldschmidt.

"We know how important the (England) team is to everything we are trying to do with the profile they have and we've worked very closely with Stuart Lancaster in particular.

"He has already spoken about some of the cultural areas he is looking to change and improve and that has been tied in very closely with the commercial department in terms of what we want to represent as a brand and what our commercial partners expect from us.

"I think they were surprised by the extent of some of what happened (at the World Cup and afterwards). Clearly they want to see that we are learning from it and putting different measures in place to try to avoid similar incidents happening again.

"To have Stuart leading from the front and championing it has been fantastic. That is definitely having a discernible impact from the feedback I've been getting."