Danny Cipriani would welcome Martin Johnson's appointment to the England management team but insists Brian Ashton has the players' full support.

Twickenham's director of elite rugby Rob Andrew is reportedly keen to appoint Johnson (pictured) as England supremo in a newly-created role that would give him full control of the coaching set-up.

The development casts further doubt on the future of Ashton, who steered England to a second-place finish in the RBS 6 Nations with Saturday's 33-10 victory over Ireland.

Cipriani, who produced a star turn on his full Test debut on Saturday, believes the current coaching line-up should remain intact.

But the 20-year-old Wasps ace understands the benefit Johnson's presence would bring.

"I met Martin once very briefly. He was obviously a great leader and if he was given a management role then England could possibly benefit from it," he said.

"But Brian Ashton, Mike Ford and John Wells have been very positive for England. They took England to a World Cup final and second in the Six Nations.

"Everything went smoothly against Ireland because the coaching team put their mark down and we backed them 100%.

"All the players are behind Brian because he's done so well for England."

Ashton will discover his fate next Wednesday when Andrew presents his tournament review to the Rugby Football Union's management board.

The fact their fates are entwined - Andrew appointed Ashton and retained him on a rolling one-year contract in December - stands in the 61-year-old's favour.

But the waters have been muddied by Johnson's possible involvement and the availability of South Africa's World Cup-winning coach Jake White.

For former England number eight Dean Richards, who was touted as a successor to Ashton last year, the debate over his future is mystifying.

"It's been a disastrous year from England's point of view hasn't it - coming second in the World Cup and second in the Six Nations. They must be kicking themselves!" he joked.

"Ten months ago England were going through a transitional period and had many inexperienced players.

"How ironic that everyone is now looking closely at Brian Ashton. I think he's doing a great job.

"Just look at the quality of players coming through like Danny Cipriani, David Strettle and Tom Croft, the experience they have lost and the position they now find themselves in.

"Yes, there probably has been a certain amount of discord within the camp, but when you go through a transitional period there will always be a bit of that.

"Brian should be part of the summer tour. Whether he should be the guy leading it depends on who the manager is and if there is one."

SportingLife / Eurosport