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Rugby Union

Ashton departs after Johnson accepts role as England manager

16/04/2008

Brian Ashton has been relieved of his role as head coach of the England rugby team after Martin Johnson was appointed team manager.

Johnson will be responsible for player selection and appointing the coaches who work under him when he begins his new job in July.

Ashton has been offered a role as head coach of England's national academy, although he has not accepted the position yet.

The former Bath coach leaves his position as head coach just six months after guiding England to the world cup final against South Africa.

Current coaches Mike Ford and John Wells are expected to stay as part of Johnson's team of coaches and it is likely he will hand-pick a number of other support staff later in the summer.

The former England captain had been linked with the role of team manager since the end of the Six Nations campaign, after which the Rugby Football Union (RFU) began an appraisal of Ashton's recent performances.

Johnson will not take over until the start of July, meaning he will miss the summer tour to New Zealand, so elite director of rugby Rob Andrew will fill-in for him.

However, Johnson says he intends to have a large input into the selection of the squad which will face the All Blacks.

He said: "It is a great honour for me to be offered this position. I am passionate about the England team and delivering success for it.

"Whilst I cannot take up my position until July 1st for personal reasons I will be working closely with Rob and the England coaching team on selection for the Barbarians match and the New Zealand tour, as well as selecting the first senior elite player squad of 32 under the new agreement between the RFU and Premier Rugby."

The RFU said they were delighted with Andrew's recommendation that Johnson should be team manager.

RFU chief executive Francis Baron said: "Martin Johnson's appointment will greatly strengthen the England team management and coaching structure."

Johnson led England to the World Cup in 2003 and was capped 84 times by his country. The former Leicester Tiger also played on three Lions tours.