Johnson handed England manager's role

Former captain Martin Johnson is to become England team manager and Brian Ashton will step down as head coach, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) said yesterday.

Johnson, 38, who skippered the side to their 2003 World Cup triumph, will take up the post on July 1 with his contract lasting until Dec. 31, 2011 after the next World Cup.

Ashton, who steered England to the 2007 World Cup final in France, has been offered the job of head coach of the national academy. The 61-year-old also led the team to second place in the 2008 Six Nations.

"It is a great honour for me to be offered this position," said Johnson, who has no previous coaching experience.

While Johnson's appointment was widely expected, yesterday's announcement marked a turnaround by the RFU who gave Ashton an "indefinite" contract in December to continue as head coach despite criticism of his methods by senior players.

The RFU said it had unanimously approved a report and recommendations from director of elite rugby Rob Andrew.