Former Italy and Japan coach John Kirwan has expressed his interest in becoming England's new manager.

The former All Black admitted that it would be "an honour" to replace Martin Johnson.

"I think it would be a fantastic job," Kirwan told The Guardian.

"The team is really exciting. I'm a head coach but I specialise in attack and unleashing the England attack would be something really exciting."

The 1987 World Cup winner says that the current turmoil engulfing the RFU would not put him off the job.

"There's always ups and downs," he said.

"For me as the head coach you need to understand and have a working relationship with the people above you, but the main job is to make sure everything is functioning underneath you and the team is performing to the best of its ability."

Northampton Saints coach Jim Mallinder remains favourite to take the job.