England head coach Stuart Lancaster insists he was unaware of reports that Nick Mallett claimed to have been contacted about his interest in the position.

Lancaster's future has come under increased scrutiny after the Rugby World Cup hosts were dumped out of the tournament by Australia, with former South Africa and Italy coach Mallet said to have been contacted by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) this week.

Reports via Sport24 in South Africa suggested Mallet had rejected the chance to talk to the RFU, but a defiant Lancaster says he will not let speculation worry him ahead of Saturday's Pool A clash with Uruguay.

"I didn't know that to be honest," said the England coach when asked about the Mallet reports. "I guess that's just the nature of the situation we are in.

"For me it's a case of getting on with the day job and I have enough to be thinking about without worrying about anything else to be honest.

"There has been an awful lot of hard work put in over the last three-and-a-half years. It is important for me personally that the players go out and get rid of that frustration and put in a positive performance against Uruguay. 

"We have played some good rugby over the last 12-18 months and I want to see that tomorrow."

And Lancaster is already putting post-World Cup plans in place, with Premiership directors of rugby set to be heavily involved in reviewing English rugby.

He added: "I spend a lot of time talking to the directors of rugby and chatting through things.

"My approach beyond this tournament is to do exactly the same as I have always done irrespective of the reviews that are happening. 

"I will go see them and chat it all through professionally and privately the way it should be done."

Sport24 had earlier quoted Mallett as saying: "I'm not going to consider it. I was keen for the challenge in 2011, but not anymore."