Brian Ashton
Brian Ashton
William Brian Ashton MBEis an English rugby union coach and former player. He has been head coach of the England and Ireland national teams...
ProfessionCoach
Date of Birth3 September 1946
failing giving half ourselves penalties pressure
I'm disappointed because we put ourselves under a lot of pressure giving away too many penalties in the first half and failing to take our opportunities in the second.
business unfinished
I feel I've got unfinished business at international level.
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It needs a strong leader at the top, not necessarily involved with coaching. Clive has done that job before and there's not the slightest doubt, if he wanted to do it again, that he has the capability. I think it is possible to revive the England side before the World Cup next year. The playing talent is there and more is coming through.
available fit operation three weeks
I think the operation has been successful, so it is going to be two or three weeks before he is fit and available for selection.
came involved job reasons sort
I'm not going to get involved in the contractual details. I don't want to do that. One of the reasons I came into the job was to get away from that sort of thing.
both early eighties expect fantastic friday late main matches perhaps played saturday second sides spirit stop team theme within
There were some fantastic matches between the two sides in the late eighties and into the early nineties. Perhaps not so much with the first team as these tended to be second team matches played on a Friday night, but that did not stop the two sides from going at one another, and I expect that to be the main theme on Saturday evening. We will both have a go at one another within the spirit of the game.
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There will be no excuse for not playing rugby on a pitch as good as this one. Given the playing surface at the Recreation Ground, I am not sure whether there is greater pressure on us playing at home or away. We have a good record against French teams in the Heineken Cup, but the past is no guide to what will happen on Saturday. We are aware of the challenge which faces us.
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I am delighted that Joe Maddock has extended his contract with Bath Rugby. He has played particularly well in the second half of the season in a number of positions and he is a back-three player who should add some excitement to our game next season.
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There has been a transformation - you can feel it among the players - but I can hold my hand up and say that is not down to me coaching on the field. You'd be better off asking Michael Foley and Richard Graham about that because they have been in charge, not me.