Rugby Union: England Yet to Finalise Coaching Team Days Before Tour
English rugby union was a step closer to farce after it was revealed the Rugby Football Union could not confirm the new coaching set-up to support Andy Robinson.
England's much-trumpeted coaching reshuffle was on the brink of descending into farce last night when the Rugby Football Union could not confirm precisely who will be assisting the head coach Andy Robinson at training prior to Sunday's pre-tour game against the Barbarians at Twickenham.
The players are due to assemble at a Heathrow hotel this evening and fly to Australia on Monday for a two-Test tour but Twickenham officials are still unable to say who will be on the coaching staff.
Brian Ashton, John Wells and Mike Ford are the three men designated for roles in the new England set-up but Francis Baron, the RFU's chief executive, admitted contractual details had still to be finalised. Wells and Ford are ready to start work immediately but it is unclear if Ashton will be available to work with the players this week or tour Australia as attack coach.
There is also no sign of the RFU and Bath reaching agreement over compensation for Ashton, who left Twickenham to return to the Recreation Ground less than six months ago. "Until the contractual situation is resolved I shall not be making any comment," insisted Baron. If Ashton is not free to travel down under, England will have to launch a hasty search for a stand-in to look after their backs.
The only confirmed management news yesterday involved Joe Lydon, England's outgoing attack coach, who is to leave the RFU after talks broke down over a proposed new role within the national academy. The union said Lydon had been unable to agree a satisfactory financial package and he follows Phil Larder and Dave Alred through the Twickenham exit.
A bad day for the RFU was not improved when Wasps' Joe Worsley and Paul Sackey were ruled out of the Barbarians game through injury. The Wasps flanker James Haskell and London Irish's utility back Delon Armitage have been added to the squad although Worsley, who has a lower back problem, will be on the plane to Australia. Sackey, who has an injured toe, will be assessed this week before a decision is made on his participation in next month's Churchill Cup in Canada.
Wales's head coach Gareth Jenkins has unveiled the former international flanker Rowland Phillips as defence coach for this summer's tour to Argentina. Phillips, 40, earned 10 Wales caps.
The players are due to assemble at a Heathrow hotel this evening and fly to Australia on Monday for a two-Test tour but Twickenham officials are still unable to say who will be on the coaching staff.
Brian Ashton, John Wells and Mike Ford are the three men designated for roles in the new England set-up but Francis Baron, the RFU's chief executive, admitted contractual details had still to be finalised. Wells and Ford are ready to start work immediately but it is unclear if Ashton will be available to work with the players this week or tour Australia as attack coach.
There is also no sign of the RFU and Bath reaching agreement over compensation for Ashton, who left Twickenham to return to the Recreation Ground less than six months ago. "Until the contractual situation is resolved I shall not be making any comment," insisted Baron. If Ashton is not free to travel down under, England will have to launch a hasty search for a stand-in to look after their backs.
The only confirmed management news yesterday involved Joe Lydon, England's outgoing attack coach, who is to leave the RFU after talks broke down over a proposed new role within the national academy. The union said Lydon had been unable to agree a satisfactory financial package and he follows Phil Larder and Dave Alred through the Twickenham exit.
A bad day for the RFU was not improved when Wasps' Joe Worsley and Paul Sackey were ruled out of the Barbarians game through injury. The Wasps flanker James Haskell and London Irish's utility back Delon Armitage have been added to the squad although Worsley, who has a lower back problem, will be on the plane to Australia. Sackey, who has an injured toe, will be assessed this week before a decision is made on his participation in next month's Churchill Cup in Canada.
Wales's head coach Gareth Jenkins has unveiled the former international flanker Rowland Phillips as defence coach for this summer's tour to Argentina. Phillips, 40, earned 10 Wales caps.
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