Lions don't interest Ashton

23/12/2007 6:57:07 AM
PA Sport

England head coach Brian Ashton ruled himself out of taking any role with the British and Irish Lions on their 2009 tour of South Africa.

Ashton's predecessor Andy Robinson was previously criticised for taking a coaching role with the 2005 Lions in New Zealand.

England has a tour to Argentina pencilled in for the summer of 2009 and, two years out from the next World Cup, Ashton insists his responsibility would lie with the red rose.

"I look at the way forward in three stages," Ashton said.

"In 2008 there is the Six Nations and the New Zealand tour, the next period is to the end of the 2009 Argentina tour and then we ought to be in a good position to move forward to the 2011 World Cup."

"There are short, medium and long-term objectives over the next four years."

"If I am still England head coach I will not be involved in the Lions. I will go to Argentina."

Ashton was officially reappointed as England head coach on Wednesday along with his two World Cup assistants John Wells and Mike Ford.

There were suggestions during the tournament that their working relationship was not always constructive but Ashton insisted they are the right team to take England forward.

Ashton is also looking to add new members to the staff, including a team manager to remove some of the burden from his shoulders.

"I don't want to be surrounded by yes men," he added.

"I think it would be foolish not to continue and let not only the team develop but the coaching team develop as well."

"I want a management team that I feel can take England forward. The game has got to move on and we have got to move on ahead of it."

"The playing squad and the management team have all got to buy into it."

Ford said:"I am pleased that we can build on what was achieved in France and I am looking forward to getting back together for the Six Nations."

"We have come a long way since the start of the year and now we have a chance to move England on to another level."

Ashton will resist any temptation to throw all England's bright young stars straight into the Six Nations.

England has a highly promising generation on the verge of breaking through to the international scene, most of whom Ashton worked with when he ran the national academy.

There is great potential in the back division in particular, with established figures such as David Strettle and Toby Flood set to be joined in the not-too-distant future by the likes of Nick Abendanon, Olly Morgan, Ryan Lamb, Ben Foden and Shane Geraghty.

And while Ashton is looking to develop a ground-breaking England side, he also wants a winning England side and the experienced old heads like Josh Lewsey or Mike Tindall will still have a place.

"The players coming through are very promising. But I have learned that if you throw in too many young players all together most of the time they sink, often without trace," said Ashton.

"We still have some exceptional experienced players who still want to play for England."

"I don't believe in four-year cycles. I want to win rugby matches."