Ashton rejects RFU offer

Ashton: Business plans

I now consider it the correct time to develop more varied challenges than just dealing with professional rugby

Brian Ashton
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Former England boss Brian Ashton has decided to reject the chance to return to his old role as national academy head coach.

The 61-year-old instead wants to develop his own company 'delivering high-level performance processes in all areas of sporting and business life'.

Ashton felt he could not have developed his business if he had accepted the full time academy post that he had previously held between 2002 and 2005.

His decision comes after his tenure as England boss reached an abrupt end following last season's Six Nations Championship.

Criticised

The RFU was widely criticised for their handling of the situation, with many feeling Ashton, who led England to the 2007 World Cup final against all odds, had been hard done by.

But Ashton bears no ill feeling and will continue to provide what has been termed "a range of high-level performance consultancy services" for the RFU, with a renewable annual contract with his own company, SCD South West Limited.

Ashton said: "I have given full and careful consideration over the last two months to my future career plans.

"And I have decided to develop my own company delivering high-level performance processes in all areas of sporting and business life.

"I now consider it the correct time to develop more varied challenges than just dealing with professional rugby.

"I am most grateful to the RFU for allowing me time and space to consider my future plans.

"I have decided not to accept the post offered to me by the RFU of head coach of the national academy, as this was a full-time post which would not have allowed me to develop my own business and pursue other interests."

Delighted

RFU chief executive Francis Baron admitted he was delighted that Ashton would at least still be involved, even if it wasn't on a full-time basis.

He said: "We fully understand and support Brian's desire to develop his own business interests, and are delighted that Brian has agreed to offer his services to us under the new consultancy agreement.

"Brian has served the union with distinction in a number of positions, and we are pleased that his special talents, not least in the area of coaching expertise and the development of young elite athletes, will continue to be available to us through the new agreement with him.

"We will support Brian's new business venture in any way we can."