Edwards hails Ashton's new deal
December 20 2007
Brian Ashton's re-appointment as England coach has been welcomed by a number of English rugby's leading lights, including Wasps coach Shaun Edwards who admits it would have been an injustice if Ashton had not been retained.
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) confirmed on Wednesday that Ashton, who led England against the odds to the World Cup final, would remain in his post on a 12-month rolling contract along with his assistants John Wells and Mike Ford.
The former Rugby League star has been linked with a role in the England set-up but could yet work as an assistant to new Wales coach Warren Gatland, and insists the RFU could not have justified dispensing with Ashton.
"There would have been no justice in the world if they had lost their jobs after getting to the World Cup Final," Edwards told the Daily Telegraph.
"I would have been upset if I'd lost my job after taking a team to the World Cup Final."
Bristol director of rugby Richard Hill felt the decision to retain Ashton was the right one for continuity in the national team set-up.
"They did an amazing job in view of the short period of time they had with the team. It might be sensible to give them a short contract because then there can be changes, if necessary, two years or so out of the World Cup."
Ashton and his team came in for criticism after the tournament in France from Lawrence Dallaglio and Mike Catt, but England and Bath prop Matt Stevens claimed there was support among the players for the coach to continue.
"The majority of the squad have stuck with Brian and for the good reason by the end of the World Cup we were a pretty solid unit. It's important that we continue to show that solidarity," said Stevens.
"We managed to develop throughout the World Cup. Brian wasn't too obdurate to change things even though he was under a huge amount of pressure.
"Coaching at international level is all about experience and I'm sure he will take a lot from the World Cup.
"This England team has a lot of talent and the tools to play enterprising rugby."