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England appoint Ashton to top job England appoint Ashton to top job
(10 minutes later)
Former Bath and Ireland coach Brian Ashton has been appointed as England head coach with immediate effect.Former Bath and Ireland coach Brian Ashton has been appointed as England head coach with immediate effect.
Ashton has been promoted from his role as attack coach and will continue to work with forwards and defence specialists John Wells and Mike Ford.Ashton has been promoted from his role as attack coach and will continue to work with forwards and defence specialists John Wells and Mike Ford.
"It's a massive privilege and honour to be asked to do the job," said Ashton."It's a massive privilege and honour to be asked to do the job," said Ashton.
"I recognise the challenges ahead and, along with the other coaches, my focus now is to prepare the England team to play Scotland in the Six Nations.""I recognise the challenges ahead and, along with the other coaches, my focus now is to prepare the England team to play Scotland in the Six Nations."
Speculation had suggested that Ashton's appointment was a short-term solution until another head coach could be appointed, but the RFU has insisted this is not the case. Speculation had suggested that Ashton's appointment was a short-term solution until another head coach or manager could be appointed, but the RFU has insisted this is not the case.
Ashton's appointment was unanimously agreed by the Rugby Football Union's management board after his name was put forward by director of elite rugby Rob Andrew.Ashton's appointment was unanimously agreed by the Rugby Football Union's management board after his name was put forward by director of elite rugby Rob Andrew.
Andrew said he had no doubts about moving the 60-year-old up to replace former head coach Andy Robinson, who resigned at the end of November after a dismal run of results. The 60-year-old will be formally unveiled at a Twickenham news conference at 1600 GMT on Wednesday.
Andrew said he had no doubts about moving Ashton up to replace former head coach Andy Robinson, who resigned at the end of November after a dismal run of results.
Brian is the right man to lead the coaches and players into a new period for English rugby RFU director of elite rugby Rob AndrewBrian is the right man to lead the coaches and players into a new period for English rugby RFU director of elite rugby Rob Andrew
"Brian is the most experienced coach in England, he has enormous respect with the players and he has massive international and club experience," said Andrew."Brian is the most experienced coach in England, he has enormous respect with the players and he has massive international and club experience," said Andrew.
"This coaching team have only been together since May and I believe Brian is the right man to lead the coaches and players into a new period for English rugby starting with the Six Nations opener against Scotland." "This coaching team have only been together since May and I believe Brian is the right man to lead the coaches and players into a new period for English rugby starting with the Six Nations opener against Scotland (on 3 February 2007)."
Ashton joined up with England for a second time in May, along with Wells and Ford, to help Robinson arrest England's decline since the 2003 World Cup.Ashton joined up with England for a second time in May, along with Wells and Ford, to help Robinson arrest England's decline since the 2003 World Cup.
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He was head coach of Ireland between 1997 and 1998 but a lacklustre spell of results saw him replaced by Warren Gatland.He was head coach of Ireland between 1997 and 1998 but a lacklustre spell of results saw him replaced by Warren Gatland.
Ireland won only two of their nine Tests under Ashton, losing twice to Italy and suffering heavy defeats at the hands of New Zealand and England during his tenure.Ireland won only two of their nine Tests under Ashton, losing twice to Italy and suffering heavy defeats at the hands of New Zealand and England during his tenure.
The Lancastrian then spent four years as a member of Sir Clive Woodward's England coaching staff before becoming the RFU National Academy manager. Ashton then spent four years as a member of Sir Clive Woodward's England coaching staff before becoming the RFU National Academy manager.
He has also spent two periods at the helm of English Premiership side Bath. The Lancastrian has also spent two periods at the helm of English Premiership side Bath.