Brian Ashton factfile

Career details of England's head coach, who was reappointed to the role on Wednesday.

1946: Born September 3 in Leigh, Lancashire. 1975: March - After playing spells with Tyldesley, Fylde and Orrell, scrum-half Ashton is named on bench for England's Five Nations game against Scotland at Twickenham. He understudies 'Jacko' Page, but is not required as a replacement. May - Tours Australia with England, but plays only a supporting role in the four defeats in eight matches, including both Tests against the Wallabies - 16-9 (Sydney) and 30-21 (Brisbane). 1985: Appointed assistant England coach for tour to New Zealand but side lose both Tests against the All Blacks in Christchurch and Wellington. 1989: Begins his senior coaching at Bath, with responsibility for the backs, and teams up with Jack Rowell. 1991: Bath win league title. 1992: Bath win league and cup double. 1993: Bath win league title. 1994: Bath win league and cup title in Rowell's last season before he takes charge of England as successor to Geoff Cooke, with Ashton handed the lead role at the Recreation Ground. 1995: Bath land their ninth English knockout cup final triumph by beating Wasps at Twickenham. 1996: Bath win league and cup double. December - Ashton leaves Bath. 1997: Agrees a six-year contract as Ireland head coach but the subsequent Five Nations campaign yields a solitary victory, while England inflict a record 46-6 defeat on them at Lansdowne Road. 1998: Ashton resigns as Ireland boss following a difficult reign that also includes defeats against Italy and New Zealand. Clive Woodward reacts quickly to Ashton's availability and makes him part of the England coaching set-up. 2002: Ashton leaves Woodward's England set-up and is appointed the Rugby Football Union's national academy manager. 2006: January - leaves his post with the RFU to return to Bath. April - Steers Bath to the Heineken Cup semi-finals but the west country club are beaten by eventual tournament runners-up Biarritz in San Sebastian. May - Returns to the RFU as England attack coach to work in a new-look support team of John Wells (forwards) and Mike Ford (defence), although head coach Andy Robinson remains despite a poor Six Nations campaign. November - Robinson's reign comes to an end following dismal Twickenham defeats against Argentina, South Africa and New Zealand. December - Appointed England head coach. 2007: England lose two of their Six Nations matches, including a record defeat by Ireland. September - England make a dismal start to their World Cup campaign, losing 36-0 to South Africa. October - England bounce back to reach World Cup final with stunning wins over Australia and France. December 19 - Re-appointed England coach after a post-World Cup RFU review. Ashton's methods had been criticised in some quarters but elite rugby director Rob Andrew recommended he be retained.