Evans sad at Ashton slur
Last updated: 2nd November 2007
Under fire: Ashton
It really has saddened me and being cynical about it, it is about book sales.
Ieuan Evans on the Rugby Club.
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Ieuan Evans has added his voice to growing number of former rugby players who are disappointed with comments made by Lawrence Dallaglio and Mike Catt about Brian Ashton at the World Cup.
Evans joined the likes of Bristol coach Richard Hill and Quins coach Dean Richards, both ex-England internationals, in expressing his dislike at what he sees are commercial reasons for stabbing the coach in the back.
Dallaglio and Catt are both critical of Ashton's managerial skills at the World Cup in soon-to-be published biographies and Evans told the Rugby Club that he was 'saddened by their actions.
"I am saddened and rather cynical about the rationale and reasons behind this," he said.
"The one thing that Brian Ashton stated many times in the build-up to the World Cup and during the World Cup was that he wanted players to take responsibility for their actions on the field and make the decision-making on the field."
"That is exactly what happened yet everyone is critical about that. I am sad; the one thing you can't erode is that trust element. The relationship is about respect and trust and once you erode that and undermine that, between the player and the coach, it is all downhill from there.
"It really has saddened me and being cynical about it, it is about book sales. That is what it is about and the damage is there for everybody to see."
Evans is also worried that the comments will affect any review process into England's World Cup effort and ultimately Ashton's position as head coach.
"It is out there in the public domain now," he said. "The review process should happen, that is right and proper.
"New Zealand are going through the same process, as are Wales and many other countries, but it has to be an internal review and an objective one.
"This has undermined that situation."
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