Brian Ashton (rugby union)

As of February 19, 2008

William Brian Ashton ( born September 3, 1946) is a former English rugby union player and was manager of the English national team.

Playing career

After leaving the school, Ashton joined the Tyldesley RUFC, playing in his first season as a compound semiconductor. The following year he was employed on his favorite position of scrum Halbs.

Although he had numerous offers from top clubs, Ashton remained in the vicinity of his home and moved to the Fylde Rugby Club, where he played with Roger Uttley and Bill Beaumont. In 1973 he went to Orrell RUFC. Because of his talent, according to his own statement was not sufficient for larger tasks, he began his coaching career.

Ashton managed once in the array of the English national team against Scotland, but came to no use. At the regional level, he played for the selection of Lancashire and the North of England. The selection of the Barbarians team also invited him for a game.

On the advice of his friend Dick Greenwood Ashton went first to France, for AS Mont Ferrand, and later to Italy, where he played in Rome and Milan for the clubs based there.

Coaching career

The first experience as manager gathered Ashton in Stonyhurst College, where he also taught history also.

In 1985 he met while touring New Zealand with the England Saxons the managing director of Bath Rugby, Jack Rowell, know. Rowell offered him the position of assistant coach at his club and Ashton agreed. At the same time he moved to the King's School in Bruton, where his wife worked. He taught again sports and history.

In 1994, Ashton his first job as a senior manager in Bath, winning with his team 1996, the Guinness Premiership, at that time under the name Courage League known. This is also the last title of Bath Rugby in this league. During his time as assistant coach, the team succeeded, five times to win the championship.

His time as manager of the Irish national team, however, was not successful. In the Five Nations, the team was each last and Ashton ended after 12 months of his commitment.

From 1998 to 2002 Ashton worked as an assistant coach Clive Woodward in the England Saxons, the reserve of the actual team. Then he was hired as head of the National Academy, where he played an important role in the construction of new talent for the English rugby.

In 2005 he returned to Bath, there to take over the head coaching job. In agreement with the club officials Ashton was dismissed in 2006 from his duties and was able to take the lead of the English national team. Under him, Phil Vickery was appointed captain. The first two games of the Six Nations in 2007 under his leadership won the team against Scotland and Italy, but then followed the clear 13:43 against Ireland. This defeat was the highest against the Irish in the history of the Six Nations for England.

At the 2007 World Championships, the team started very badly. Against the U.S. England, although managed a 28:10 victory, but the team could not convince. Towards the later final opponents South Africa lost one clearly with 00:36. The other two group matches against Samoa and Tonga were recovered and thus made ​​the quarter-finals. Later in the tournament, the team grew and was able to beat the favored Australians and French and be in the final. There, they met again to South Africa and was beaten again, was however significantly strengthened compared to the first round defeat. Ashton continued to coach, though not a few critics owing to the sometimes disappointing performances demanded his dismissal. He signed a contract with no specific maturity. In April 2008, the English FA announced that Martin Johnson, captain of the world champion team in 2003, will assume the office of Brian Ashton. Ashton was a high-ranking positions offered in the junior work, but he declined. He decided, however, for the role of "Director of Coaching" at the University of Bath.

2008 awarded the title Member of the Order of the British Empire was awarded.

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