Warning over England coach search

Players’ union chief David Barnes warned England could miss out on top candidates for the vacant head coach’s job unless a solution is found to the ongoing club-versus-country row.

England’s director of elite rugby Rob Andrew will reportedly propose Brian Ashton’s short-term appointment when he meets Club England tomorrow.

Both Andy Robinson and his predecessor Clive Woodward quit with stinging parting shots at the Rugby Football Union and Premier Rugby for failing to find a working structure.

Barnes said: “I think coaches are always going to be wary of it. Two England coaches have now resigned stating the structure of the game was rotten. I think it will put people off.”

Andrew has gone on record as favouring a longer-term managerial appointment, the position Woodward effectively filled before he resigned in 2004.

England need some immediate leadership as they head into the defence of their World Cup and Ashton is already in situ.

He rejoined the England management team as attack coach in August after a successful six-month spell in charge of Bath.

Barnes, a Bath prop, said: “Brian is an exceptional coach. In the six months he was at Bath he changed our style of play dramatically.

“He is very individual. He has got his own ideas of how to play the game. He certainly did well at Bath.”

Former Australia coach Eddie Jones confirmed he would be interested in taking up a short-term post with England.

Looking longer-term, Martin Johnson has already ruled himself out of the running but current Harlequins boss Dean Richards could be interested if the right role came up.

Richards is contracted to Quins until 2008 but told the BBC tonight: “There’s no reason to move and, unless something persuaded me otherwise, I’m happy doing what I’m doing.

“It depends what the job is. You’d only move if it was right and I don’t know what job’s available.”