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England close on new head coach Ashton favourite for England post
(1 day later)
England could have a new head coach as early as Wednesday - and the hot tip for the job appears to be Brian Ashton. England's new head coach will be named on Wednesday and attack coach Brian Ashton is favourite to land the job.
Ashton, England's attack coach under former boss Andy Robinson, is thought to be the choice of new Rugby Football Union elite director Rob Andrew. English rugby's elite director Rob Andrew will make his nomination to Rugby Football Union (RFU) bosses on Wednesday for approval.
Andrew will make his recommendation to the RFU management board on Wednesday, although any decision will need ratifying at a meeting on 9 February. RFU chairman Martyn Thomas hopes a new head coach will herald a fresh era for the struggling world champions.
But, in practice, Robinson's successor could be installed straight away. "We have got to get back to winning on the field and that's what I want to focus on," Thomas told www.rfu.com.
"We will have a new coach, all being well, on Wednesday," RFU chairman Martyn Thomas told BBC Sport on Monday. Things have to change - everything is on the table and nothing is sacred RFU chairman Martyn Thomas
"I've been with Rob Andrew this morning and with [RFU chief executive] Francis Baron. There are just one or two pieces to sort out, but all being well there will be a new coach announced on Wednesday." "Rob is supremely qualified and I and the board have got every confidence in his ability to tell us what he wants and for us to support him.
Ashton, 60, was head coach of Ireland between 1997 and 1998 but a lacklustre spell of results saw him replaced by New Zealander Warren Gatland. "He is a very sound man, not one to panic. He has been in the game since it went professional. He has got the expertise and the knowledge and he will make a recommendation which he feels is right for England.
Lancashire's Ashton then spent four years as a member of Sir Clive Woodward's England coaching staff before becoming the RFU national academy manager. "Things have to change. Everything is on the table and nothing is sacred. It's a huge challenge but one everyone in the game - at long last - is ready to tackle.
He then linked up with England again seven months ago following a short second period in charge at Bath. "For us the process starts with the right appointment of a new head coach, followed by agreements that ease the burden on players, develop their skills and game understanding, and create the environment for both the professional clubs and the England teams to flourish on and off the pitch."
Other names that have been linked with the England post include former England star and Harlequins boss Dean Richards and former Wasps coach Gatland.
606 DEBATE: Would you back Ashton's appointment? 606 DEBATE: Would you back Ashton's appointment?
Ex-South Africa coach Nick Mallett and former Wallabies boss Eddie Jones have ruled themselves out of the running. Ashton, 60, joined up with England in May, along with forwards coach John Wells and defence guru Mike Ford, to help Andy Robinson arrest England's decline since the 2003 World Cup.
Robinson, 42, was axed following England's dismal autumn Test series, during which they lost to Argentina, South Africa and New Zealand. But head coach Robinson, 42, was axed following England's dismal autumn Test series, during which they lost to Argentina, South Africa and New Zealand.
His 25-month spell in charge yielded 13 defeats from 22 games and saw England slip alarmingly down the International Rugby Board rankings.His 25-month spell in charge yielded 13 defeats from 22 games and saw England slip alarmingly down the International Rugby Board rankings.
The 2003 World Cup winners begin their Six Nations campaign against Scotland at Twickenham on 3 February. Ashton was head coach of Ireland between 1997 and 1998 but a lacklustre spell of results saw him replaced by New Zealander Warren Gatland.
The Lancastrian 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.
Other names that have been linked with the England post include former England star and Harlequins boss Dean Richards and former Wasps coach Gatland.
Ex-South Africa coach Nick Mallett and former Wallabies boss Eddie Jones have ruled themselves out of the running.
England begin their Six Nations campaign against Scotland at Twickenham on 3 February.