Ashton pours scorn on merits of planning

ENGLAND coach Brian Ashton has questioned the value of planning for the next World Cup by declaring any blueprint becomes irrelevant once the tournament begins.

The RFU claim to have learned the lessons of 2003 when English rugby’s finest moment quickly turned sour as the team subsequently lurched from one disaster to another on the pitch.

Director of elite rugby Rob Andrew has promised to devise a clear strategy for the next two World Cups once he has finished reflecting on the defeat by South Africa in Saturday’s final.