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Rugby Union

RFU condemns Ashton's critics

01/11/2007

The English Rugby Football Union (RFU) has expressed "extreme disappointment" with the players who have publicly criticised head coach Brian Ashton.

Veteran centre Mike Catt and back-row forward Lawrence Dallaglio have both slated the regime of Ashton in newspaper serialisations of their books, which has resulted in a great deal of negative publicity for all those involved as well as English rugby as a whole.

Both Catt and Dallaglio questioned the former Bath coach's leadership qualities and suggested the unexpected run to the final of the recent Rugby World Cup in France was more down to 'player power' than Ashton's own work.

But the RFU has rounded on the players, saying their actions have undermined the philosophy of trust in the game.

"The RFU management board, at its regular monthly meeting today, congratulated England head coach Brian Ashton, the England Rugby World Cup squad and its coaching and management team for an excellent RWC campaign and defence of the Webb Ellis Cup won in 2003," a statement read.

"The RFU and the whole game in England are rightfully proud of their fine, collective performance."

The RFU confirmed a review of the team's performance is "well underway" and would be completed by November 26th, before commenting on the recent publicity surrounding the players' publications.

"The board recorded its extreme disappointment that two senior players have chosen to criticise publicly members of the England coaching team and disclosed alleged proceedings within England team meetings," the statement continued.

"The long standing ethos of the game, as well as the custom and practice of the England team meetings is that they have always been private and confidential.

"It is essential that the fundamental trust between players and coaches, which is critical for any team's success, is not undermined.

"The RFU has not yet received copies of the books. Rob Andrew, the RFU elite rugby director has, at the request of the board, spoken to each player and requested copies of the books to be submitted forthwith to the RFU.

"The RFU will then review the situation following consideration of the complete context of the reported comments and any further content that the books may contain."

A result of the fallout over the latest autobiographies is that the RFU is planning to amend the rules regarding players publishing books immediately after tours or major tournaments.

The statement confirmed that RFU chief executive Francis Baron and Rob Andrew will look into a major overhaul of the rules, which will then be included in the basic rules governing player conduct agreed alongside the organisers of the English domestic game - Premier Rugby.