Ashton will not be sacked say RFU
Brian Ashton will not be sacked according to the Rugby Football Union. Martin Johnson will have his powers limited too, if named manager it has emerged. Ashton's position as England head coach has been in doubt since it emerged the RFU were courting World Cup winner Johnson for the team manager's role.
Ashton, 61, is adamant he does not want a manager involved in playing matters but Johnson will not take over unless he has complete control.
RFU elite rugby boss Rob Andrew met with the 2003 World Cup winning skipper again on Tuesday in a bid to convince him to ride to England's rescue.
Andrew will report to the union's management board "next week" but his boss Francis Baron made it clear they will not accept sweeping changes.
He said: "Brian has a contract with the RFU in the position of head coach and that is the position as we sit here today.
"We are going to strengthen the England team structure and there are going to be new appointments but this is not about sacking anybody.
"We need to add a team manager and additional coaching support.
"We are hoping the new structure strengthens the team structure but are seeking to add to it, not destroy it.
"All the coaches have to be happy with the new structure, we are not going to ram it down their throats. I hope they all want to be part of it. They are all under contract.
"Someone may say 'I don't want to want to work within that structure', and in my view it is their call.
"If Rob comes to the board and says 'I want Fred Smith and Fred wants to get rid of everybody that would colour our view enormously about whether Fred is the right bloke."
Andrew has been heavily criticised for not keeping Ashton informed of his attempts to lure Johnson back into international rugby.
The elite boss also gave him assurances he would have the final say on the manager's appointment but appears to have had a change of heart.
Baron rejected suggestions Ashton has been hung out to dry and launched a robust defence of Andrew's handling of the situation.
"In terms of communication Rob has kept Brian regularly informed of what is going on and the process," Baron said. "That is what I have been told.
"I saw Brian last week and he intimated to me that he knew what Rob was doing and he had regular communication with him.,
"Brian has not been left in limbo. Brian is going to have an input into the new structure. He has not been isolated in that respect.
"I feel sorry for poor old Rob who seems now to be the butt of a lot of people's anger. Rob has done a bloody good job."
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Posted by jamesmcb – 9 Apr 2008, 12:11 PM
Of course he shouldn't be sacked, the RFU's treatment of Ashton has been disgusting, he should tell them to stick it, but I guess thats what they want, idiots the lot of them!