From the touchlines: Johnno in, Ashton out

It seems finishing as runners-up in the World Cup and Six Nations is not enough nowadays. Unsurprisingly, Brian Ashton has been forced out of the senior England picture by the RFU and new team manager, Martin Johnson.

While the appointment of Johnson has to be a shrewd move, Ashton - a likeable, conscientious, proud man - has been treated shabbily at best, downright disgracefully at worst. The speculation, rumours and indecision have festered for too long. Now he's been given the demoralising and humiliating option to coach the youngsters instead.

England's performances in the Six Nations were bizarrely inconsistent, but, against Ireland, Ashton seemed to strike gold. With his wish for a team manager belatedly granted, it seems harsh for Ashton to play no part in the Johnson revolution.

Detractors will cite the disgraceful capitulation to Wales, the utterly lamentable surrender at Murrayfield and a World Cup supposedly rescued by a virtual player mutiny in the face of confused Ashton tactics.

Despite telling Orange during the World Cup he wasn't experienced enough to take on the job, Johnson begins his reign knowing second best is unacceptable.

Do you think Ashton should have been replaced? Who should become the new senior coach? Is Johnson the right man for the job? Send in your views below.

Comments

[mike d]

sad for brian ashton as he has done a really good job but i guess if england really want to be at the top of world rugby again then it has to initiate at the helm a born winner and if johnno is not that man i'm a dutchman

[Rory Crampton]

I read somewhere that Andrew was voted the worst director of rugby by Sir Clive Woodward and his coaching staff when he was England boss, which isn't massively reassuring. Not quite sure how he bagged such a powerful role.

As for the Johnno situation, people are harping on about him not having the credentials for the job. But the only credentials he needs is to be a natural winner and a leader, and he's got that in droves.

[bobby]

Well said Nick B. What is Andrew doing? We need a new parternership.

[bill d]

Before we get carried away with the appointment of a credible England Manager, what role does Andrew fulfill lurking in the background? One might argue that the moments of managerial and coaching confusion in the past year have been fuelled by Andrew's basic incompetence in his self-important non-job. Get rid of Andrew's interference (especially in selection) and Johnson, unhindered, might have a chance of attaining some supremacy for England in World Rugby again.

[kelly]

A return to "up the jumper rugby" for England. Once Ashton got brave enough to drop "Johnny" he moved the team forward. Danny Cipriani will now be under instruction to play "the England way".

[michael]

At last someone in charge of one of our national teams who knows what it is like to win and knows how hard it is to succeed. The passion alone that martin will get running through the team will make the side hit the ground running at the kick off to any match. lets face it he has been there and done it all on the pitch and not just in a classroom. i feel sorry for Brian Ashton but these things have to be done.

[Jimmy]

This is a damn disgrace. Ashton's not been given a proper shot at this by the RFU bods. And how and why on earth has Johnson bagged such a good job when all he's ever done is being a rugby player, although admittedly a world-class one. This could go horribly, horribly wrong.

[Nick B]

Rob Andrew should be going as well as Brian Ashton.
Everything that has been done over the last few years has been done with Andrew's knowledge and approval. As the main man he should take the fall!