Thomas: Fuming at players

From my perspective Brian Ashton and the coaches worked their a**es off to get things right.

Phil Vickery.
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The RFU want to crack down on England players' book deals after the post-World Cup attacks on Brian Ashton - who has at last found some support with his skipper Phil Vickery coming to his defence.

Senior England players Lawrence Dallaglio and Mike Catt have slammed Ashton for his management style during the World Cup, despite England surprising everyone and making it to the final.

Although England bounced back from a humiliating battering from South Africa early on to make it all the way to the final, the players have been trying to take the credit for the turnaround.

'Player power' involving a number of the squad has been credited in some quarters for dragging the beleaguered World Cup holders to within one game of successfully defending the Webb Ellis Trophy.

RFU chairman Martyn Thomas has been incensed by the accusations surrounding Ashton and his coaching staff, and believes it has undermined England's achievement.

With a host of players' autobiographies set for release just after the end of the World Cup, headline-grabbing extracts were perhaps expected, but Thomas is keen to have no repeat.

Disgraceful

Sir Clive Woodward had player columns and books closely monitored in his time both as England and Lions coach, with even gagging orders in place until six months after tournaments or tours.

"I think it is absolutely disgraceful," Thomas said about the criticism of Ashton. "This has tarnished a great achievement."

"Any clause we introduce will apply to major tours and major tournaments, but within the confines of the law.

"We can't become censors. We have freedom of speech. I have already put a call in to the RFU legal officer, Karena Vleck, and we will discuss it, and I will raise it at the management board meeting.

"I am sure that (director of elite rugby) Rob Andrew and chief executive Francis Baron will raise it as well."

Ashton's position as England coach is currently under review, and his chances of retaining his position worsened after World Cup-winning South Africa coach Jake White left his post.

Vickery backing

One man to stand up for Ashton is England skipper Phil Vickery, who says that the coach, despite making some mistakes, was always working hard for the country.

"From my perspective Brian Ashton and the coaches worked their a**es off to get things right. So did the players," Vickery told The Times.

"We did have issues and some of Lawrence's points are very valid, but at the same time we have to remember there is a book to sell.

"Brian is always going to have his critics but a line has to be drawn. Sometimes people step over it. I feel very, very sorry for Brian with some of the things that have been said.

"Some have been very personal and very hurtful. We are all human beings after all. Brian has always had the best interests of the country at heart.

"I think the whole situation is very, very sad. It is very sad for the game, too. I just think this has taken away from what is important and that is what we achieved in France.

"Yes we know there were some issues behind the scenes. We did have a meeting to sort out bits and pieces. We said what we felt.

"I am sure Brian will look back and admit mistakes were made and would agree that things could and maybe should have been done differently. I am sure he has asked himself, 'Would I or should I have done this or that?'

"I cannot remember a team I have been involved with that had coaches who agreed totally with each other.

"I am not saying everything was a bed of roses, but I have been in World Cup crisis meetings before - in 2003, for example, after the quarter-final against Wales when we didn't play well, but that is forgotten because we went on to win."