Any plans by England to throw big money at Warren Gatland could be revised amid shock reports that parts of their Twickenham fortress require costly repair work.
It's understood a detailed examination of the stadium found the glass reinforced plastic roof panels covering the west, north and east stands will have to be replaced.
The east stand recently underwent an £81m refit of hospitality facilities, but the cost of buying and laying new roofing has been put in the multi-million pound bracket.
The Rugby Football Union has already forecast losses of more than £11m in the next financial year despite big-wigs planning to make savings of £10m following a cost-cutting review.
There has already been major cuts, which included more than 50 redundancies, and the community game could lose up to £5m of funding next year.
The full cost of renewing the roofs, which will take place over the next two years, hasn’t been finalised or whether the work will limit attendances for matches.
A RFU spokesperson said: “We are currently evaluating the most cost-effective options to extend the residual lifespan of the roof.”
But it could have a knock-on effect on England's coaching plans post-World Cup.
Wales coach Warren Gatland will call time on a 12-year reign which has brought three Six Nations Grand Slams and a World Cup semi-final following this year’s global showpiece in Japan.
Gatland has already quipped that England 'couldn't afford me' and his words may yet prove prophetic.
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England rival Eddie Jones could depart if the 2003 World Cup winners fail to make the latter stages.
Jones is contracted until 2021 but there is a break clause enabling his removal if the team under-perform in Japan, while the Australian himself has made repeated claims his future is uncertain.
A record-breaking third Six Nations clean sweep and fourth title with Wales has resulted in Gatland’s stock never being higher.
The 55-year-old former New Zealand and Waikato hooker has been heavily linked with head coaching jobs with France, Australia, England and the 2021 Lions , who he steered to victory over the Wallabies in 2013 and to a drawn series with New Zealand two years ago.
Nevertheless, England rugby chief Nigel Melville insisted the RFU won’t be rushed into appointing the outspoken Jones’ successor despite Gatland being out of work after the World Cup.
“At this point that is not a concern to me. I brought him (Gatland) to Wasps so I am quite well aware of his talent,” said the former England scrum-half.
“I do speak to Warren. He is a very talented guy and has a fantastic resumé.
“We will decide what is happening with Eddie post-World Cup. We have got a list of people who we think could take over.”
But, tellingly, he added: “It’s a small list because there aren’t lots of coaches out there who are capable of coaching England.”
However, it’s unclear whether the RFU is in the financial position to afford Gatland with the cost of replacing the roofs at Twickenham adding to its financial plight.
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