Ashton contract 'indefinite'
Julian Guyer
Posted Fri, 21 Dec 2007
Brian Ashton has been retained as coach of the England team on an "indefinite" contract, Rugby Football Union elite rugby director Rob Andrew said in London on Thursday.
Ashton, together with forwards coach John Wells and defence chief Mike Ford, was re-appointed to his post on Wednesday after the RFU's management board considered Andrew's review of England's performance at the World Cup where the 2003 champions were beaten 15-6 by South Africa in October's final in Paris.
Ashton (61) who said he would like to still be England coach come the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, will now be in charge for the foreseeable future with the RFU not putting a fixed term on his contract.
"It is very straightforward as far as the contractual situation is concerned," Andrew told reporters at Twickenham.
"The contract is an indefinite contract, with no time limit. He might be here in 2015. It has a notice period, like all contracts have."
Ashton said: "I'm obviously absolutely delighted to be asked to continue. It is a fantastic honour to be in this position in any sport in this country.
"I feel very proud and am looking forward to getting on with it.
"I look at the way forward in three stages. In 2008 there is the Six Nations and the New Zealand tour, the next period is to the end of the 2009 Argentina tour and then we ought to be in a good position to move forward to the 2011 World Cup.
"There are short, medium and long-term objectives over the next four years."
There had been reports the governing body were wary of offering Ashton a set-length deal having had to pay an estimated £500 000 in compensation to former coach Andy Robinson when he was forced out a year ago.
But former England outside-half Andrew sidestepped suggestions Ashton had been signed up "on the cheap".
He added that too much had been made of his review, launched amidst comments from senior players Lawrence Dallaglio and Mike Catt which suggested England, who suffered a World Cup record 36-0 loss to South Africa in the pool stages, had turned round their form in spite of and not because of Ashton.
"I am not going to go into the details of the review. It has been overplayed in some quarters," Andrew said.
Ashton has indicated in the past he would like to work alongside a team manager, a job previously filled by behind-the-scenes administrator Viv Brown whom Andrew said Thursday had left her position.
Former Bath and Ireland boss Ashton has made no secret of the fact he would like to concentrate solely on coaching and leave someone else to handle such tasks as dealing with the media.
Both Andrew, who ruled himself out Thursday of the role, and Dean Richards, Harlequins's director of rugby and a former England No 8, have both been touted as possible England managers.
Andrew said no decision had been made but added: "It could still happen. What Brian and I have to do is define the job description that he wants for an England team manager."
Andrew was evasive when asked if Wells and Ford, who were already part of the England set-up when Ashton first took charge, had been chosen by the head coach to remain on board.
In an RFU statement issued several hours after the news conference, Wells, who was reported to have had disagreements with Ashton over tactics at the World Cup, said he was looking forward to working with a new generation of England forwards.
"We have an exciting group of young forwards coming through such as James Haskell, Luke Narraway at Gloucester and Jordan Crane at Leicester, while Tom Rees is looking like he is back to his best.
"These guys will be looking to challenge the group of players who did so well during the World Cup and we are excited about what's ahead of us."
Ford added: "I am pleased that we can build on what was achieved in France.. Now we have a chance to move England on to another level."
England's next match is their Six Nations opener against Wales at Twickenham on 2 February.
AFP
