Ashton braced for job speculation

Mar 17 2008 Western Mail

BRIAN ASHTON has revealed he expects the speculation to continue about his future as England head coach.

England brought the curtain down on their Six Nations with an impressive 33-10 victory over Ireland at Twickenham that was spearheaded by young fly-half star Danny Cipriani.

But the tournament also saw England suffer a first home defeat against Wales for 20 years and produce a horrendous display in losing to Calcutta Cup opponents Scotland.

England’s next mission is a daunting two-Test tour to New Zealand in June.

When Ashton, who oversaw England’s run towards a second successive World Cup final appearance last October, was reappointed just before Christmas, Rugby Football Union elite rugby director Rob Andrew described the contract arrangement as “indefinite.”

That was widely interpreted as being a 12-month rolling deal, although it has been reported in some sections of the media that a disgruntled RFU membership faction want South Africa’s World Cup-winning coach Jake White appointed to the top job sooner, rather than later.

Andrew will shortly commence his annual Six Nations review following a tournament that saw the World Cup finalists finish runners-up to Grand Slam champions Wales, England’s highest placing since 2003.

Ashton is fully expected to lead England in New Zealand, but whether he continues after that is currently anyone’s guess.

He said, “Whether I am staying or not I’ve no idea.”

Asked if he thought questions about his future would continue, Ashton added: “Permanently, because that’s the way things happen. People constantly question.”