Brian Ashton not joining England – Rugby News Update
Brian Ashton, the former England coach, has dismissed rumours that he is about to join the England setup, following his exit as the coaching consultant for National League One side, Fylde, on Wednesday.
Instead of churning the rumour mill, he gave his back to Mike Catt, who was recently appointed the backs’ coach under the stewardship of Stuart Lancaster, the head coach of England, for the tour of South Africa, which starts in June and it will see England
play a three-match test series along with two other mid-week games.
Commenting on the appointment of Mike, Ashton said, "I always felt that he [Catt] was very innovative as a player and if he could take that perspective and mentality into his coaching then he would be a real boost to anyone he coached."
On his own rumours linking him to the England job, he cheekily called them from the ‘Lewis Carroll School of Journalism', alluding to the famous writer of literary nonsensical books such as Alice in Wonderland. However, he did add that he will perform his
ambassadorial role with Kukri, and that there was nothing at the moment which would suggest he will be joining England.
He focused on the South African tour saying that the approach will be different and Catt will bring new methods. He said, "I hope that England will look towards the style of rugby that London Irish have played going forward under Catt as it's a very challenging
game to defend against.”
He also threw caution to the wind, saying that the southern hemisphere tour will be a learning experience and it is a tough place to tour. Ashton remarked, "It's a very tough place to go. We have to remember that England have had five games under Stuart
Lancaster but South Africa have had none under Heyneke Meyer who's a new coach coming in.”
Ashton has the reputation of a visionary coach, while his playing career was ordinary. He served as an assistant to Sir Clive Woodward from 1998-2003, when he was England’s coach. In 2006 he was appointed the head coach, and in his tenure he guided England
to the 2007 Rugby World Cup final against South Africa.
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