Cipriani: Future star

Knowing Brian for so long, I think his ideas are very good and I really respond to the way he thinks.

Danny Cipriani
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Rising England star Danny Cipriani has backed Brian Ashton to continue as the country's head coach.

Ashton met with the Rugby Football Union's (RFU) elite rugby director Rob Andrew at Twickenham on Tuesday as part of the RFU's standard tournament review.

Despite going down to Grand Slam winners Wales and struggling Scotland, Ashton's side finished second in the RBS Six Nations - just six months after reaching the World Cup final in France.

Doubts over Ashton's future persist though, with South Africa's World Cup winning coach Jake White yet to take up a post.

Ideas

Cipriani, who made his debut in place of Jonny Wilkinson in England's tournament finale victory over Ireland, has pledged his support for the coach.

"I just want what's best for Brian and if he wants to continue, which I know he does, he would relish it and be phenomenal," Cipriani told Sky Sports News.

"Knowing Brian for so long, I think his ideas are very good and I really respond to the way he thinks.

"Obviously I'd like to have Brian around because I've known him for so long and I feel things have gone well.

"The team is really starting to gel."

Ashton took over from Andy Robinson in December 2006 and was reappointed in December 2007 following a two-month review of England's World Cup performance.