Ashton: I need some help with the England job

The 61-year-old Ashton was heavily criticised by some of his own England players after the 2007 World Cup campaign and now says he wants to focus on training.

'Ideally, I'd like a manager to take responsibility for much of the off-field activities,' said Ashton. 'I'd really like to be able to get on with moulding a new team, which means a great deal of time on the training pitch.That's when I'm at my happiest and, I believe, at my best. I'm not sure who this manager might be, but I'm hoping I will get the nod to carry on and have someone working alongside me.'

The man to ease the burden could be Rob Andrew. As the RFU's director of elite rugby, he will report to the management board on Wednesday with his recommendations for the new England set-up, as well as his review of the World Cup and the disappointments of the last four years.

It emerged last night that Andrew is torn between recommending a full four-year contract to take Ashton through until after the next World Cup and a one-year deal to see how the head coach fares.

He will also have to take account of suggestions that if Ashton continues,forwards coach John Wells may move on following his differences with the England head coach during the World Cup.

When Ashton took over from Andy Robinson this time last year, he had only months to prepare an England team which was used to losing, before attempting to defend their world title.

Although he tried to inject some youth into the side, Ashton soon realised it was too late for the World Cup and reverted to the tried and tested.

Now the RFU are interested to see how he fares developing his own team using the wealth of young talent available in English rugby. They have also taken note of the support for Ashton's re-appointment since the World Cup, notably from Jonny Wilkinson,who has publicly stated that he wants to continue working with the coach.

'I don't really understand why this process has taken so long,' said Ashton.

'I'm a little worried about the lack of preparation time before England's first Six Nations game against Wales, but I'm also very excited about the crop of young players holding their hands up.

'I thought the three new guys, Mathew Tait, Toby Flood and Dan Hipkiss, all excelled themselves in the World Cup and I've noted how quite a few more have played very well for their clubs in the Heineken Cup. I know a lot of these kids because they came through the England academy with me and I can't wait to get working with them again.'