Conor's great strength is player development, and even if he doesn't deliver the results on the pitch Italy will be grateful for the structures he's put in place. He's done a great job of talent spotting, too, as the article points out.
I'll be interested to see if he stays with Italy for a second cycle post RWC, or looks for another move. I would see him as one of the better qualified candidates to succeed Eddie. Unlike McCall or Baxter, he has International experience and will have taken a team through the RWC - which I think is should be an essential requirement for any England Head Coach.
(I'm not opposed to McCall or Baxter in principle, but I'd want them to get experience in the RWC before taking the top job. The only coach I might make an exception for on that count is Deano. But I don't think the RFU would have him. Though I would pay good money for a fly-on-the-wall documentary of Eddie trying to mentor him, per the plan).