England head coach Brian Ashton will not be sacked after the team's disappointing Six Nations campaign, RFU's director Rob Andrew said.

Andrew said there will be no "kneejerk reaction" and a change in leadership before the two internationals against New Zealand in June is "not something I would consider at this point".

Ashton's position has come under increasing scrutiny after last year's World Cup runners-up struggled to make an impact in the Six Nations.

Ahead of England's final match in this season's competition Saturday against Ireland at Twickenham, Andrew said there was hope for the future.

"We have the least experienced side in the Six Nations," he told the Times.

"There was huge expectation because we reached the World Cup final four months ago, then a lot of experience left the side after that but there is plenty of confidence about where the English game is going.

"We're working hard to produce better young players to play for England in the future. The building process for 2011 (when the next World Cup is played) is under way."

AFP