Ashton expects more job speculation despite impressive win

BRIAN ASHTON has revealed he expects the speculation to continue about his future as England head coach.

England brought the curtain down on their RBS 6 Nations campaign with an impressive 33-10 victory over Ireland at Twickenham that was spearheaded by young fly-half star Danny Cipriani.

But the tournament also saw England suffer a first home defeat against Wales for 20 years and produce an horrendous display in losing to Calcutta Cup opponents Scotland.

England’s next mission is a daunting two-Test tour of New Zealand in June.

When Ashton, who oversaw England’s run towards a second successive World Cup final appearance last October, was re-appointed just before Christmas, Rugby Football Union elite rugby director Rob Andrew described the contract arrangement as “indefinite”.

That was widely interpreted as being a 12-month rolling deal, although it has been reported in some sections of the media that a disgruntled RFU membership faction want South Africa’s World Cup-winning coach Jake White appointed to the top job sooner rather than later.

Andrew will soon commence his annual 6 Nations review following a tournament that saw the World Cup finalists finish runners-up to Grand Slam champions Wales, England’s highest placing since 2003.

Ashton is fully expected to lead England in New Zealand, but whether he continues after that is currently anyone’s guess.

He said: “Whether I am staying in the job or not, I’ve no idea. Wait and see.”

Asked if he thought questions about his future would continue, Ashton added: “Permanently, because that’s the way things happen. People are constantly questioning.”

Ashton preferred to deflect attention on to his players after they emphatically ended Irish hopes of a third successive Twickenham victory.

He said: “I am really pleased for the players. They have not had the rewards they should have had. Part of that has been their fault, part of it has been ours — it’s been a combined thing.

“But for the first time we put into operation in the game what we said we would do during the week.

“The side played close to its potential. That was one of the most complete performances we’ve seen for some time.

“I remember games like that leading up to the 2003 World Cup. I don’t remember many since. It was a game played with a fair bit of authority.

“We were looking for a big performance. We got that, and we ended up with a victory which in Six Nations terms was a pretty big win since we hadn’t beaten them since 2003.

“The future is bright, and England supporters can look forward to some exciting times over the next three years.”

Ashton inevitably paid tribute to the performance of 20-year-old Cipriani, who kicked 18 points on his full Test debut and ran the show like an international veteran.

Cipriani’s assured showing came just nine days after Ashton dropped him, after he was pictured leaving a London nightclub.

Ashton added: “There will be areas he can improve. He’s got to keep his feet on the ground and play the sort of rugby he plays. He’s a very, very confrontational player. He’s got massive confidence in his ability and is very dangerous running at the opposition.”