Jim Mallinder hints at England interest

Northampton Saints coach Jim Mallinder has given the biggest indication yet that he would like to succeed Martin Johnson as England manager.

Mallinder has been named by a number of pundits as the perfect candidate to take over from Johnson, but earlier today insisted that he was concentrating on his side's match against Scarlets.

Speaking after their 28-23 loss at Franklin's Gardens, Mallinder described the prospect of managing his country as a "massive honour".

"I said a few weeks ago everybody strives to be the best they can and coaching the national side is a massive honour," he told BBC Radio Five Live.

"At this moment my mind is on Northampton Saints. No-one [from the Rugby Football Union] has come and said anything to me so I'm concentrating on doing the best job I can here."

Mallinder earned two England caps during his playing career.