The RFU has refused to comment on a newspaper report claiming that Martin Johnson has agreed to become the new England team manager.
Rugby chiefs refuse to comment on speculation
The Rugby Football Union has refused to comment on a newspaper report claiming that World Cup winning captain Martin Johnson has agreed to become the new England team manager.
Johnson has been strongly linked to the role since the end of the RBS Six Nations, with RFU elite director Rob Andrew holding talks wit the former Lions skipper.
However a report in
The Times has now claimed that Johnson has "agreed in principle" to take up the position, with RFU management board set to ratify the appointment.
The RFU, though, has refused to comment on what it terms "rumour and speculation".
The report says Johnson would start life in the newly-created role after the two-Test series against New Zealand in June - and will have the right to hire and fire coaches.
If true, that would seemingly leave current head coach Brian Ashton in a untenable position, while the future of his assistants John Wells and Mike Ford would remain unclear.
Ashton has been keen on a managerial appointment, however he had wanted someone who would deal with administrative duties and not have an influence on team affairs.
Former Leicester coach Pat Howard, plus Johnson's former England team-mates Mike Catt and Austin Healey have all been linked with possible coaching roles under Johnson - while speculation about Shaun Edwards playing some role refuse to go away.
