Brian Ashton new England coach!

mike65

Unexpected?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/6189565.stm

Mike.

MarVeL

No other option as far as I could see. Who else was going to take it on before the World Cup. May be difficult even afterwards

Trojan

I was sure they'd go for Richards.

I think they're in serious trouble

BBC Sport wrote:

But former England prop Jeff Probyn said Ashton's appointment was a mistake.

"It's a short term stopgap and that's not what England need," said Probyn.

"They need to put in place a structure that will take them forward for the next 10 years rather than taking a short-term view.

"The current thinking is obviously let's appoint Brian, get through the World Cup and then appoint someone else.

"Brian works well alongside others who make decisions. Coaching-wise he's the man to take England forward.

"But as a head coach, decision-maker and planner of the broader vision to take England forward, he's not the right man."

Linford

Trojan wrote:

I was sure they'd go for Richards.

I think they're in serious trouble

I think it's more of a case who would take the job. Its a pretty unappealing job at the moment to take on a very poor team and structure in a world cup year.

If England have as bad a 2007 as the have had since the last WC, there may be another shake after this WC. Whoever takes over then might be given a little bit more time to get things right.

I am pleased that Ashton has the job (from an Irish perspective). He is a good tactical coach but has never be reknowned for instilling loyalty in his players that the likes of Richards or Johnson could.

matt cork

(shakes head)............wrong, wrong, wrong........

but then again i am biased.

il gatto

I suppose he might bring about a more attacking approach to Englands game. It's an area they've been lacking in. But then, that was what he was supposed to be coaching attack anyway, so maybe they've got it totally wrong. Here's hoping:D

thirdmantackle

he was meant to bring attacking flair to Ireland when he was our coach, but scuttled back to england after a while

davyjose

This is one of the guys they fired when Robinson wasn't to blame for their problems. Now Robinson's gone and he's back.
One of the biggest problems with AR was the fact that he was a coach but not a manager; seems now they've gone further in this (the wrong) direction. Good luck to them, they'll need it.

Trojan

England Rugby: not afraid of losing

Nukem

Man they are really screwed now:D
"Swing low sweet chariot" - anyone know the number of the AA for them?