Probyn urges Ashton exit

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Twickenham's director of elite rugby will meet with the Rugby Football Union's management board to discuss his recommendations following England's second-place finish in the championship.

"Brian Ashton should not be in charge. He's a great, innovative coach but is a number two," said former England prop Jeff Probyn. "He should still be there as a backs coach, but I'd like to see Dean Richards or Dean Ryan in overall charge."

Included among Andrew's proposals is thought to be the appointment of Martin Johnson to a new all-powerful managerial role with a key say in selection and tactics.

Former RFU committee member Probyn, who won 37 caps between 1988 and 1993, questions the impact Johnson's appointment would have on Ashton.

"Rob needs his head examined if he recommends bringing Martin Johnson in," he said. "He's a character and was a good captain, but a good captain of a side that had five or six captains in it.

"He has no experience of management or administration, even at club level. It would be the same as putting Lawrence Dallaglio or Will Carling in that position.

"They'd have strong ideas about the players that should be picked or the way the game should be played.

"If you believe that Brian Ashton isn't making the right decisions then you need to put someone in there who does make the right decisions.

"Brian has stated he wants a manager, but not a manager as an equal on the rugby front. There is no compromise there. If you did put a manager like that in there you'd expect Brian to resign."