Rate it!

0 votes

Former England coach Brian Ashton has agreed to join the University of Bath as director of coaching.

Ashton, who took England to the World Cup final last year, turned down the chance to coach the national academy after the Rugby Football Union appointed Martin Johnson as team manager, instead opting to go into consultancy.

Ashton's links with the area are strong, enjoying two stints at Bath Rugby during his stint as a top-flight club coach.

The 62-year-old will work with athletes and coaches at the university to develop the coaching infrastructure.

The likes of track stars Jason Gardener and Craig Pickering and Olympic modern pentathletes Katy Livingston and Georgina Harland are Team Bath athletes.

"I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with the University of Bath in the role of a consultant director of coaching," said Ashton

"There are many talented high level performance coaches and athletes who operate in the university's sports training village and I am looking forward to working alongside them to ensure that all set standards that are testing and provide competition success.

"When I was the national academy manager and head coach of England rugby we used the sports training village as our base so I am well aware of the facilities and expertise that the University of Bath is able to provide across a wide range of support areas."

Ged Roddy, director of sports development and recreation, added: "This is a significant coup for us.

"Our university sports family at Bath fielded medal winners at both the Olympic and Paralympic Games and Brian's appointment will strengthen our elite performance line-up and create a link between research and the practical application of science to sport."

Brian Ashton Factfile

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.

2008: England kick-off the 2008 RBS 6 Nations with a first home defeat to Wales for 20 years and later lose to Scotland as they finish in second place behind the Welsh.

March 26 - The RFU sanction the appointment of a team manager, placing Ashton's future in doubt.

April 16 - Ashton is effectively demoted after being relieved of his duties and offered the role of head coach of the national academy.

July 24 - Ashton officially rejects the academy position and signals his intention to develop his own consultancy company.

September 16 - Takes up conultancy role with Team Bath.

SportingLife / Eurosport