Nick Mallett London - Arabstoday Nick Mallett is the first leading contender to rule himself out of the vacant England job. After Martin Johnson resigned as coach on Wednesday, the RFU turned their attention to finding the next man to attempt to revive the national team. South African Mallett was regarded as one of the favourites for the post - but he has now ruled himself out of the running. The former Italy coach revealed he was approached by the RFU this week about the prospect of taking charge of England. He said: ‘I would like to lay to rest the speculation linking me to the now-vacant England rugby coaching position. ‘The RFU contacted me earlier this week to enquire about my availability for the position, should Martin Johnson resign. 'I had previously expressed my interest in the position publicly and was interested to hear what RFU representatives had to say. ‘After mulling it over for a few days and discussing the opportunity with close friends and family, I have decided that I will not be making myself available for the position and I have disclosed this to the RFU. ‘My primary concern is my family. I am happy to have returned home to South Africa after a tremendous four-year term with the Italian national team. We are settled in Cape Town and it is my wish to be able to enjoy time with my wife and kids after four years in Italy. ‘I thank the RFU for making their interest known to me. The job of England coach is one of the most prestigious in world rugby and I wish them all the best in their quest for the best possible man for the job.’ RFI elite rugby director Rob Andrew needs to move swiftly to appoint Johnson’s replacement, with the Six Nations looming in February. Domestic candidates include Northampton’s Jim Mallinder and Conor O’Shea from Harlequins, while Graham Henry has been linked with a role at Twickenham after guiding New Zealand to the World Cup. ‘Now the decision has been taken by Martin, we will go and find the next England head coach,’ said Andrew. ‘Clearly we need to do that as quickly as we possibly can.’ Former Australia coach Eddie Jones has expressed an interest in replacing Johnson. Jones led the Wallabies to the 2003 World Cup final, where they were beaten by the England team captained by Johnson, and helped coach South Africa to victory four years later. He said: ‘You’d always be interested in coaching England. It has got a fantastic domestic competition, very, very good players and you have just got to get the right programme in place and they should be good enough to win the next World Cup.’ Meanwhile, England defence coach Mike Ford is resigned to losing his position after Johnson stood down. Johnson urged the RFU not to jettison the experience of his coaching team of Ford, John Wells (forwards), Brian Smith (attack) and Graham Rowntree (scrum). Ford, who has coached at three World Cups and helped England reach the final in 2007, expects the new national coach to bring in his own management team. ‘I think there is an air of inevitability,’ Ford told BBC Radio Five Live. ‘We are grown men and we understand that being a coach you are there in the firing line. Your results are there, black and white for everyone to see. ‘That is the way we like it. We like to win and lose. We like to be out there. The new guy who comes in has obviously got to pick his own coaching team and that is only right and fair. We will see what Rob Andrew has to say to us over the next few days. ‘There is a possibility he will keep us in the organisation because of our experience, but we will see.’