Will Carling is to join the England's rugby union team staff under coach Eddie Jones as a mentor to senior players.
Carling will start the part-time role next week and has been given the brief of developing the skills of the leadership group spearheaded by co-captains Dylan Hartley and Owen Farrell.
Jones believes Carling's experience accumulated during 59 appearances as England skipper in a reign that produced three Grand Slams and a World Cup final will be of benefit.
"I have met Will continuously over the last two years and I think he can add value to the senior players in the squad with his experience," Jones said.
"He joins the great past of England to the present. It is a similar thing to what the All Blacks have done with great players and I think Will can play that role for us."
Jones has frequently identified inadequate "leadership density" as one of the shortcomings of his squad.
If the appointment proves a success, Carling's involvement could extend until Japan 2019.
"Will is bit of a specialist in leadership. He understands what made English rugby great so combining the skill of leadership with the knowledge of English history is a nice resource for us to have," Jones said.
England take on South Africa in the first of their November Tests on Saturday November 3 3pm local, Sunday November 4 2am AEDT.
