Throw book at vultures circling over coach Ashton

Oct 31 2007 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

THE invective aimed in the direction of England head coach Brian Ashton is disgraceful – especially from players who should know better – but apparently not when the promotion of autobiographies are concerned.

There is a code in rugby circles that what is said in the changing rooms stays in the changing rooms and in the view of no less a person than Dean Richards, the likes of Lawrence Dallaglio and Mike Catt should never wear an England shirt again for breaking that unwritten rule.

On Monday, chairman of the RFU management board Martin Thomas stated both Dallaglio and Catt could face disciplinary action – let’s hope they do.

Ashton was appointed after the fiasco of the Andy Robinson era to add a new attacking dimension to the England team over the long term.

Most at the RFU had seemingly already written off this last campaign and were already focusing on New Zealand 2011. Why else why was there no budget for reaching the semi-final and final?

If that is so then perhaps Ashton’s greatest mistake was England actually getting to the final.

But only out of the Byzantine court which poses as the RFU could a man be pilloried for exceeding expectations.

Dallaglio said there were arguments in the camp. I hope there were.

Ashton has always believed in players thinking for themselves and a healthy discussion of the issues is part of that.

Playing by numbers has never been part of his philosophy but the Ashton way takes time and that is something he did not have.

He has to change a mindset that not only permeates the international side but goes right through Premiership rugby and beyond – you have only to watch the average Premiership game to see that.

Certain sections of the press have of course jumped on the bandwagon and are turning the knife with names already being floated as possible contenders for the post.

Perhaps Ashton is not comfortable fronting up to the press although he has never seemed so – but perhaps he is better suited to being ‘adjutant’ rather than ‘troop commander’.

But if so, what is the role of Rob Andrew?

He is supposed to be in charge of elite rugby and I would have thought part of his job was to back Ashton all the way.

He has chosen not to do so, yet he will produce a report to review England’s performance at the World Cup when he himself was at the helm. If only Ashton were subject to such self-assessment.

The report will go to the management board, whose knowledge of rugby at this level is questionable to say the least but don’t be surprised if Rob ‘Squeaky’ Andrew comes out of this with his hands clean!