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Indefinite contract for Ashton
20/12/2007 16:53 - (SA)
Julian Guyer
London - Brian Ashton has been retained as coach of the England team on an "indefinite" contract, Rugby Football Union (RFU) elite rugby director Rob Andrew said here 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.
Compensation to former coach Andy Robinson
"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 pounds in compensation to former coach Andy Robinson when he was forced out a year ago.
But former England flyhalf Andrew sidestepped suggestions Ashton had been signed up "on the cheap".
He added 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.
"We carried out a review in the autumn last year and after the Six Nations.
"It is slightly more detailed and has taken longer than the previous two reviews, but they form part of what we do."
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 on 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 on Thursday of the role, and Dean Richards, Harlequins 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."
England's next match is their Six Nations opener against Wales at Twickenham on February 2.
- SAPA
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