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Ashton to learn his Eng fate
25/03/2008 21:01 - (SA)
London - Brian Ashton's future as coach of the England rugby union team is expected to be clarified on Wednesday when Rob Andrew, the elite rugby director of the Rugby Football Union (RFU), delivers his review of the Six Nations to the national governing body's management board.
England, despite losing to both Wales and Scotland, finished second in the tournament - their highest Six Nations placing since 2003 when they completed a Grand Slam before winning the World Cup.
But reports have since emerged that Martin Johnson, England's World Cup-winning captain of five years ago, has been contacted by Andrew regarding his taking on a new managerial role.
Ashton has made it clear ever since becoming England coach in 2006 that he would like to have a manager on board to help with administrative duties but not someone who would reduce his authority with regard to purely rugby matters.
Although Johnson has no coaching experience, the double British and Irish Lions captain is unlikely to be satisfied with a figurehead role without any meaningful input into the team's preparations.
Even though England reached last year's World Cup final under the 61-year-old Ashton's guidance, after he was parachuted in following the unsuccessful reign of Andy Robinson, his position has been repeatedly called into question.
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Rugby
