FORMER England chief Stuart Lancaster is rumoured to be on a three-man shortlist to take over the reins at Worcester Warriors.

According to the Rugby Paper Lancaster, ex-Cornish Pirates boss Chris Stirling and veteran coach Alan Solomons, who is currently working at the club, are believed to be in the running for the director of rugby position.

Lancaster has been rebuilding his career at Leinster after quitting as England head coach following their early Rugby World Cup exit in 2015.

The 48-year-old signed a contract extension at the Irish giants in May, but is believed to be in the mix for the top job at Sixways.

Leinster’s in-demand assistant coach who is good friends with Warriors head coach Carl Hogg has also been touted to succeed Jim Mallinder as Northampton Saints director of rugby.

Last week Mallinder was axed by Northampton after 10 years in the role which triggered speculation over whether he could be on his way to Warriors.

But the Rugby Paper understands Mallinder is not in contention and instead suggests Solomons could be in with a chance of replacing director of rugby Gary Gold who will become USA’s head coach next summer.

The 67-year-old joined Worcester on a short-term deal in October and stood in for Gold when he was back home in South Africa.

Solomons has been praised for getting Warriors’ campaign on track after a dismal start, but last month Gold insisted his “mentor” was not interested in taking anyone’s job.

Stirling is also rumoured to be among the frontrunners to manage Worcester who are six points above bottom club London Irish.

He had three successful seasons at Cornish Pirates, taking them to the Championship play-off final in 2011 where they lost to Worcester.

A year later he joined Super Rugby outfit Hurricanes where he has been working as high performance manager.

Warriors are hoping to fulfil the vacancy before Christmas but a decision is unlikely to be made until the club have secured new owners.