England's attack coach Brian Ashton is expected to be named the team's new head coach on Wednesday.
Brian Ashton has been appointed as England head coach with immediate effect.
English rugby's elite director Rob Andrew will make his nomination to Rugby Football Union (RFU) bosses on Wednesday for approval.
Ashton has been promoted from his role as attack coach will continue to work with forwards coach John Wells and defence coach Mike Ford.
Ashton is poised to replace Andy Robinson, who was axed last month following a dismal run of results.
"It's a massive privilege and honour to be asked to do the job," said Ashton.
Robinson lost 13 of his 22 games in the job and stood down after three days of talks with the RFU.
"I recognise the challenges ahead and, along with the other coaches, my focus now is to prepare the England team to play Scotland in the Six Nations."
Ashton, 60, joined up with England for a second time in May, along with forwards coach John Wells and defence guru Mike Ford, to help Robinson arrest England's decline since the 2003 World Cup.
More to follow.
But Robinson was axed following England's dreadful autumn Test series, during which they lost to Argentina, South Africa and New Zealand.
Ashton was head coach of Ireland between 1997 and 1998 but a lacklustre spell of results saw him replaced by Warren Gatland.
Part of me does worry that it's not the long-term solution Former England captain Will Carling
Ireland won only two of their nine Tests under Ashton, losing twice to Italy and suffering heavy defeats at the hands of New Zealand and England during his tenure.
The Lancastrian then spent four years as a member of Sir Clive Woodward's England coaching staff before becoming the RFU National Academy manager.
He has also spent two periods at the helm of English Premiership side Bath.
But former England skipper Will Carling has questioned whether the job is the right one for Ashton.
"We need someone who is going to change the whole environment in which the England guys operate - and I don't think that is Brian," he told BBC Sport.
"His strengths are as a coach, that is what he is great at.
"It will get us through the Six Nations but part of me does worry that it's not the long-term solution."
Ex-England captain Phil de Glanville said Ashton should be allowed to get on with the job of simply coaching the players.
Ashton did not enjoy much success while coaching Ireland
"He's a world class coach and certainly the man to be leading the way England play," said De Glanville, who played under Ashton at Bath.
"But I don't know what the remit for Andy Robinson's replacement will be.
"If it includes everything Andy Robinson was doing, then some of those areas needed a manager rather than a head coach
"The liaison with the RFU and clubs is a big element of the job. If that's still part of the job then it wouldn't be something Brian would enjoy. That's not where his strengths lie.
"Brian enjoys pure coaching and if that's the role then there's no-one better."
RFU chairman Martyn Thomas hopes a new head coach will herald a fresh era for the struggling world champions.
"We have got to get back to winning on the field and that's what I want to focus on," Thomas told the RFU's website.
"Rob is supremely qualified and I and the board have got every confidence in his ability to tell us what he wants and for us to support him.
"He is a very sound man, not one to panic. He has been in the game since it went professional.
Things have to change - everything is on the table and nothing is sacred RFU chairman Martyn Thomas
"He has got the expertise and the knowledge and he will make a recommendation which he feels is right for England.
"Things have to change. Everything is on the table and nothing is sacred. It's a huge challenge but one everyone in the game - at long last - is ready to tackle.
"For us the process starts with the right appointment of a new head coach.
"That's followed by agreements that ease the burden on players, develop their skills and game understanding, and create the environment for both the professional clubs and the England teams to flourish on and off the pitch."
Other names that have been linked with the England post include former England number eight and Harlequins boss Dean Richards and former Wasps coach Gatland.
Ex-South Africa coach Nick Mallett and former Wallabies boss Eddie Jones have ruled themselves out of the running.
England begin their Six Nations campaign against Scotland at Twickenham on 3 February.
