A World Cup winning All Black believes Wayne Smith would be a perfect fit for the England management team.
Smith has been heavily linked with a role at Twickenham next year, with a partnership with former South Africa and Italy boss Nick Mallett promoted as a dream-team scenario.
The ex-Northampton supremo guided New Zealand to global glory alongside Graham Henry and Steve Hansen in October but has since left the All Blacks set up.
Smith is currently contracted to Super 15 outfit the Chiefs but New Zealand full back Israel Dagg is convinced England should do all they can to secure Smith’s services ahead of their summer tour to South Africa.
"Wayne is one of the best coaches in the world," said Dagg, who started the World Cup Final win over France.
"He'd be really missed by the All Blacks. Hopefully, he doesn't bring over all his stuff to England and give them a few bullets to get back at us.
"If England got him, they'd grow another arm and leg. He's just a hell of a coach.
"Wayne doesn't take any rubbish. He's serious. Off the field he will have a laugh with you, he'll joke with you, but when it's time for work he wants you to knuckle down.
"He let's you know if you aren't being professional in your approach or if you aren't playing or training how you should be. He's a great man."
England promoted Saxons coach Stuart Lancaster to replace Martin Johnson on a temporary contract for the forthcoming RBS 6 Nations but are expected to confirm a big-name signing after the tournament.
And Smith has already given a hefty indication that he is keen to take up a post with the RFU next summer.
"I've got a two-year contract but there's an out-clause for both of us," was Smith’s assessment of his employment situation with the Chiefs.
"I didn't want to walk out of the All Blacks with the game plan under my arm and go to a competing nation immediately.
"Given a bit of time to get that out of my system, I'd be really interested in coming back to the UK. Coming back is always something I've wanted to do.
"You want to coach the best. I'd struggle to coach a team that's losing because that's the way I am."
