News

RFU pecking order revealed

Friday 28th March 2008

Martin Johnson: Set to offered freedom of England

Martin Johnson could be given carte blanche to effectively write his own job description as England Team Manager on Monday, according to a report in The Guardian.

Johnson will be given all the power he needs to make England better again in his role, and interestingly, many opinions believe that it would not necessarily spell the end for Brian Ashton either, although there is an obvious redundancy of much of his role if Johnson is appointed.

Johnson may turn down the role on personal grounds initially - his wife is expecting their second child at about the same time England are touring New Zealand and Johnson may opt to stay with his family rather than take on a role that will involve significant travel.

If he does not accept, it is understood that the RFU will then, and only then, turn to Jake White, who has made no secret of his desire to take on a role with the England side.

Ashton is said to be disgruntled by the turmoil since the Six Nations, but Simon Halliday said he thought Ashton would still be open to a continuance of his role under Johnson.

"Brian is pretty pragmatic," said the former England centre, recently appointed non-executive director at Bath.

"He just wants to get his tracksuit on and coach rugby teams because that is what he is good at. Despite everything I think he would make himself available."