Lancaster 2-1 to get Red Rose reins permanently

STUART LANCASTER is just 2-1 with Hills to be given the England head coach role permanently after getting the gig for next year's Six Nations on Thursday with Graham Rowntree and Andy Farrell as his assistants.

Hills had been 16-1 before a reported wave of wagers when it became clear that the former England Saxons chief was going to get the reins of the Red Rose chariot.

The firm's spokesman Rupert Adams said: "Punters are piling in on the assumption that if England deliver in the Six Nations then the RFU will find it difficult not to offer Stuart the job on a permanent basis."

Northampton coach Jim Mallinder is still the 6-5 favourite in the Hills list but former Springbok and Azzurri supremo Nick Mallett has been eased to 9-1.

England are 10-3 third favourites for the Six Nations behind World Cup runners-up France at 7-4 and fourth-place finishers Wales at 11-4.

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