Martin Johnson will take over the England manager's job only if Rob Andrew gives him total control of team matters.
That would mean current coach Brian Ashton taking a back-seat role to deal merely with preparing the players for kick-off.
It is believed that back-room chief Rob Andrew is so keen to get Jonno on board that he will buckle under the demands of England's only World Cup-winning captain for a "hands-on" post - or nothing at all.
Johnson would certainly want the final word on team selection.
And, according to former international team-mate Martin Bayfield, Jonno could not just sit back and merely be a figurehead for English rugby.
Bayfield, who stood shoulder to shoulder with Johnson for England many times during the 1990s, said: "Jonno isn't the type to take up a job that meant him just sitting there doing nothing.
"He thrives on being involved, being in the front line, running the show. He loves making things happen.
"If Jonno comes into the England set-up he would have to have some input in the team - that's what he's good at, and what he enjoys.
"I know him well enough to know he's not going to just sit there and count the players on and off the coach or answer questions at a press conference.
"At the end of the day it's his choice. He's been out of rugby since retiring after the World Cup win, but he knows what has gone on since then. He keeps up to date with everything.
"He is also very shrewd and very clever when it comes to the important decisions. He will only do what's right for Jonno, as well as the team involved.
"Personally, I feel it would be good for English rugby to have him back if that's what he wants. We shall have to see.
"I've always felt that an Englishman had to get the job. Jake White was not the right man.
"The coaching set-up needs fine tuning. Each person on their own is a good coach - but put them together and it isn't quite working out.
"When Clive Woodward came in, there was massive scope for what he could do to improve the set-up. And he brought in a coaching regime which had never been seen before.
"But now every country does that. Every team has a huge back-room staff to look after every little thing. And now we're dealing with very small fractions which can help give you a little edge.
"It's man-management which makes that little difference. The RFU must have a clear idea of what they really want the new guy - if they go down that route - to be."
The RFU Management Board will meet this Wednesday to discuss Andrew's Six Nations review and his proposal to bring in Johnson. Then it's up to Jonno to say yes or no.
Bayfield feels plenty of sympathy for coach Ashton, who would have most of his responsibility away from the training ground removed with a Johnson appointment.
And he's critical of Andrew for the way he has allowed Ashton to stand alone in taking all the flak for England's hot-and-cold performances - as well as having to endure such uncertainty over his own future.
Bayfield argued: "It's been very harsh on Ashton. He came into the job at a very tough time when things were all doom and gloom.
"He got us to the World Cup Final. He got us to second in the Six Nations.
Some of the performances have been very poor but some of them outstanding.
"Are you not supposed to be judged by your results?
"What seems strange to me was that people led you to believe that Brian Ashton would just be the coach - that he wouldn't be the manager who had to deal with the press or this that and the other.
"Yet he's had to sit there fielding all the questions.
And then he had to front up over the Danny Cipriani incident.
"You think, 'Hang on, where is Rob Andrew in all this? Where are the guys who were supposed to be there to protect Brian Ashton?' "Crikey, I'm still not entirely sure what Rob does.
He has this title of Director of Elite Rugby, but it doesn't seem to be clearly defined.
"It seems a bit woolly around the edges - and I think that can be said about the whole England set-up.
"If Ashton stays as coach and Jonno is manager, what does Rob do?
"There are too many names on too many doors at the RFU."
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ALEC STEWART
THE MOLE