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LONDON - Brian Ashton will continue as England's head coach following a post-World Cup review, the RFU said today.
Doubts emerged over Ashton's future despite England reaching the World Cup final which they lost to South Africa in Paris in October.
England had recovered from a humiliating 36-0 pool loss to the Springboks to surprisingly reach the final, but Ashton came under fire from a number of senior players.
"The Rugby Football Union Management Board today approved the recommendation of Elite Rugby Director, Rob Andrew, to re-appoint Brian Ashton as England Head Coach and to keep the same coaching team of John Wells and Mike Ford in place," the RFU said in a statement.
Last month England World Cup players Lawrence Dallaglio and Mike Catt escaped censure after criticising Ashton's coaching style in their recent autobiographies.
Ashton, 61, was appointed England's rugby coach in December last year following the departure of Andy Robinson. England finished third in his first Six Nations campaign.
- REUTERS
