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Rugby Union

Ashton rejects RFU academy role

24/07/2008

Former England coach Brian Ashton has turned down the opportunity to head up the Rugby Football Union's national academy.

Ashton was controversially axed as the national team's head coach as part of a restructuring programme at the RFU, which saw former England captain Martin Johnson appointed as the new team manager.

Many pundits criticised the decision to appoint Johnson, who has no coaching experience whatsoever, especially as Ashton had led England to an unlikely final appearance at the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France.

And Ashton has today turned down the opportunity offered to him by the RFU to remain involved with the youth system - choosing instead to offer his "high level performance consultancy services" to his former employers.

"I have given full and careful consideration over the last two months to my future career plans and I have decided to develop my own company (SCD South West Ltd) delivering high level performance processes in all areas of sporting and business life," Ashton said.

"I now consider it the correct time to develop more varied challenges than just dealing with professional rugby.

"I am most grateful to the RFU for allowing me time and space to consider my future plans. I have decided not to accept the post offered to me by the RFU of head coach of the national academy as this was a full-time post which would not have allowed me to develop my own business and pursue other interests.

"I am excited by the new opportunities in front of me and I am looking forward to providing a range of services to the RFU in the areas of elite coaching and coach development."

RFU chief executive Francis Baron said: "We fully understand and support Brian's desire to develop his own business interests and are delighted that Brian has agreed to offer his services to us under the new consultancy agreement.

"Brian has served the Union with distinction in a number of positions and we are pleased that his special talents, not least in the area of coaching expertise and the development of young elite athletes, will continue to be available to us through the new agreement with him.

"We will support Brian's new business venture in any way we can."

And Martyn Thomas, the chairman of the RFU management board, said he is "very pleased" to have reached an agreement that will continue to see Ashton involved with the national team setup, albeit in a different capacity.

"The RFU will benefit from his skills with elite rugby in the RFU in his new consultancy role," Thomas explained.

"The new agreement is good for Brian and good for the RFU.

"It will enable Brian to focus his time and energy on those areas in which he has special and unique skills. We look forward to a long and continuing relationship."