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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Lewsey praises 'visionary' Ashton | Lewsey praises 'visionary' Ashton |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| England and Wasps back Josh Lewsey has welcomed the appointment of Brian Ashton as England's new head coach. | England and Wasps back Josh Lewsey has welcomed the appointment of Brian Ashton as England's new head coach. |
| Former attack coach Ashton was appointed on Wednesday to replace ex-boss Andy Robinson. | Former attack coach Ashton was appointed on Wednesday to replace ex-boss Andy Robinson. |
| "It is no secret that I am a big fan of Brian's - I've championed him for a long time," Lewsey told BBC Sport. | "It is no secret that I am a big fan of Brian's - I've championed him for a long time," Lewsey told BBC Sport. |
| "He's certainly a visionary. Brian challenges people to think slightly outside the box - he will want to put his own stamp on things." | "He's certainly a visionary. Brian challenges people to think slightly outside the box - he will want to put his own stamp on things." |
| Josh Lewsey's catching tips | Josh Lewsey's catching tips |
| Ashton has spoken of his desire to free England from their conservative mindset and style of play. | Ashton has spoken of his desire to free England from their conservative mindset and style of play. |
| However, Lewsey said the idea that Ashton only advocates a wide game fails to understand the coach's real vision. | However, Lewsey said the idea that Ashton only advocates a wide game fails to understand the coach's real vision. |
| In many ways Brian has been a shining light in a period of English rugby where there has been a lot of conservatism England back Josh Lewsey | In many ways Brian has been a shining light in a period of English rugby where there has been a lot of conservatism England back Josh Lewsey |
| "I think people incorrectly label him as the advocate of 'sevens' rugby," said Lewsey, who first met Ashton when he was 18 and Ashton tried to persuade him to join Bath. | "I think people incorrectly label him as the advocate of 'sevens' rugby," said Lewsey, who first met Ashton when he was 18 and Ashton tried to persuade him to join Bath. |
| "He's actually an advocate of people taking responsibility and playing what they see in front of them, which is the key to playing exciting and challenging rugby, both defensively and offensively." | "He's actually an advocate of people taking responsibility and playing what they see in front of them, which is the key to playing exciting and challenging rugby, both defensively and offensively." |
| Since winning the World Cup, England's form has fallen away dismally and the mood around the team has not always been positive. | Since winning the World Cup, England's form has fallen away dismally and the mood around the team has not always been positive. |
| 606 DEBATE: Do you agree with Lewsey? | |
| Robinson eventually paid the price for a run of eight defeats in nine games but Lewsey said it would be simplistic to blame the ex-coach for all the team's ills. | Robinson eventually paid the price for a run of eight defeats in nine games but Lewsey said it would be simplistic to blame the ex-coach for all the team's ills. |
| "The issues that have been implicated in England's performances run a lot deeper than just one person at the top," said Lewsey. | "The issues that have been implicated in England's performances run a lot deeper than just one person at the top," said Lewsey. |
| "I know within the management set-up they're looking at doing things slightly differently and as players you always welcome a bit of a change. | "I know within the management set-up they're looking at doing things slightly differently and as players you always welcome a bit of a change. |
| "In many ways Brian has been a shining light in a period of English rugby where there has been a lot of conservatism." | "In many ways Brian has been a shining light in a period of English rugby where there has been a lot of conservatism." |