Ashton is chauffeur-driven to his book launch... compare that with Donncha

LITTLE did I know when addressing the issue of Martin Johnson’s resignation as England manager last Wednesday the calamitous fallout that was about to unfold as English rugby hit a new low.

This is about as serious as its gets, especially when the leaking of three separate reports surrounding England’s ill-fated World Cup campaign emanated from within the RFU itself. The confidential documents, compiled and written independently by the Rugby Players’ Association, the RFU and Premiership Rugby — the governing body of the participating clubs that make up the Aviva Premiership — were in the sole possession of the RFU.

The players’ union and Premiership rugby did not have access the reports compiled by the other two bodies which highlights the fact that vested interests within the RFU were acting for personal gain over the interests of the game itself. It is a sad reflection on just how bad things have got in Twickenham.