Stuart Lancaster, who was appointed interim head coach after Johnson’s departure in November, and former South Africa and Italy coach Nick Mallett had their second and final interviews on Thursday. It is understood the successful candidate can expect to receive a financial package worth around £350,000-a-year, up from the £320,000 that Johnson is believed to have earned during his tenure of 3½ years. The salary level, while handsome, appears insignificant alongside the £6 million-a-year package that was paid to former England football manager Fabio Capello, who received a £1.5 million pay-off in February just for leaving before the end of his contract. It is understood that the five-man Professional Game Board panel, tasked with interviewing both candidates, would meet again on Friday to finalise their recommendation, which must be approved by the Rugby Football Union board of directors. The panel are chaired by the RFU’s new chief executive, Ian Ritchie, and includes Sir Ian McGeehan and Conor O’Shea, the respective directors of rugby at Bath and Harlequins, former England flanker Richard Hill and the RFU’s professional game director, Rob Andrew. The final call, however, will be made by Ritchie, despite the fact that he only took up his position last month as the permanent successor to John Steele. It is understood no other candidates are being considered after Jake White, the former South Africa coach, withdrew two weeks ago. Mallett, who had previously been linked with a position at Bath next season, and Lancaster are thought to have attended an undisclosed location on Thursday for their interviews, at which they were asked to outline how they would do the job and with whom they would do it. It now looks almost certain that former New Zealand World Cup-winning assistant coach Wayne Smith, will play a key role in the new England management structure no matter who is appointed as head coach. Smith, who ruled himself out of applying for the head coach position because he felt the job description was “woolly”, is already on the record as saying he would be interested in an assistant role with England. The former Northampton coach says his commitments as head coach of Waitako Chiefs would prevent him taking up a new role before the autumn, but the RFU would be able to buy him out of his contract if they wanted him involved in the three-Test tour of South Africa in June. It is thought that both Lancaster and Mallett would be keen to work with Smith, who is renowned as one of the world’s leading attack coaches. The fact one-third of the All Blacks’ brain trust who won the World Cup is keen on a role with England, is also certain to make the RFU independently keen to hire his services. The make-up of the coaching teams that both men put to the interview panel could lead to a further delay in the process, depending on contract complexities. Lancaster hinted as a press briefing on Tuesday that he was keen to retain the services of his Six Nations staff of Graham Rowntree and Andy Farrell. While Rowntree is already on a RFU rolling contract, Farrell is contracted to Saracens as head coach and the club will not want to lose him, having been gracious in offering his services to England in their hour of need following the World Cup shambles. The RFU outlined last November that they are also keen for a manager to be appointed to deal with all to handle all non-playing responsibilities of the team, so the personal dynamic with the head coach will be crucial. Former England internationals such as Simon Halliday and Hill have been linked with the role. Meanwhile, Paul Vaughan, the chief executive of England Rugby 2015, said last night that the success of a home World Cup could depend on who is appointed as the new head coach. Vaughan says he does not mind whether it is Lancaster or Mallett who gets the job, but insists it is vital they keep the English rugby public upbeat and engaged. “We have all seen in the last few months the improvement in the England team in the way in which they have behaved and their attitude,” said Vaughan. “The rugby public have taken to the England team. It is not for me to decide who the coach is going to be; as long as that attitude and interest is maintained in the England team I don’t mind who it is.” Wales forwards’ coach Robin McBryde has signed a contract to remain with the national set-up until the 2015 World Cup, bringing him into line with the rest of the Grand Slam-winning coaching team.