England line up Johnson as manager

MARTIN JOHNSON remains a firm favourite to fill the role of England team manager following a Rugby Football Union meeting yesterday.

But head coach Brian Ashton still faces an uncertain future, despite leading England to second place in the 2007 World Cup and this season's Six Nations Championship.

Johnson, skipper during England's triumphant 2003 World Cup campaign, is a strong bet to land the lucrative managerial position, which should be worth a sizeable six-figure sum.

He has not yet been unveiled as the new man, although further discussions are now likely between Johnson and his former England team-mate Rob Andrew, the RFU elite rugby director.

A decision is expected next month, but where it all leaves Ashton is anyone's guess.

And to possibly compound Ashton's uncertainty, talks will also continue to recruit an additional specialist coach - possibly a backs adviser such as Mike Catt or Austin Healey - which is Ashton's area of expertise.

Ashton has always wanted a managerial appointment, but one on the administrative side that would not entail involvement in matters such as selection and appointing coaches.

Former Bath and England captain Phil de Glanville is believed to be Ashton's preferred choice.

It is impossible to envisage Johnson playing anything other than a hands-on role, although it would appear exact job-description details have still to be thrashed out.

The RFU management board released a statement after Andrew presented them with his initial Six Nations findings at Twickenham today.

It read: "The RFU management board, at its scheduled monthly meeting today, received and discussed an interim report from elite rugby director Rob Andrew and John Spencer, chairman of Club England, on England's performance in this year's RBS Six Nations at senior, Saxons and under-20 levels.

"The management board congratulated the senior England team in finishing second in the RBS Six Nations, a significant improvement on previous years.

"The board also congratulated the England Saxons on their unbeaten results, and the England Under-20 team on achieving the Grand Slam.

"Special mention was also made of the England women's team on their outstanding achievement in winning a third Grand Slam in a row.

"The management board accepted Rob Andrew's interim report, and was unanimous in authorising him to continue the discussions currently under way to strengthen the England team structure through the recruitment of a team manager and an additional specialist coach. Recommendations on these appointments will be made to a Club England meeting in early April, who will then make final recommendations to the RFU management board, which will convene, as necessary, an additional meeting ahead of its scheduled meeting on April 30th to consider these recommendations."

Andrew's latest report came only three months after he completed his detailed assessment of the 2007 World Cup performances and recommended Ashton, plus his coaching lieutenants John Wells and Mike Ford, continue in their posts.

But the giant figure of Johnson has been lurking for some time now, and he met Andrew last week to discuss a possible managerial role.

While Andrew could recommend Ashton continues as head coach, Ashton is likely to find it impossible working as part of a structure that also includes Johnson.

Despite Ashton having led England to second-place finishes in last year's World Cup and this year's Six Nations, there is an RFU faction that do not want him in charge.

Until yesterday, not one word of public praise had emanated from Twickenham congratulating England on recent achievements, with all the post-Six Nations debate revolving around Johnson.

Johnson, a captain colossus and one of world rugby's all-time greats, has no coaching or rugby managerial experience.

He has also been away from Test rugby's front-line since playing his final international match - the 2003 World Cup final victory against Australia in Sydney.

While Ashton now awaits further developments, he must also continue his planning and preparation for England's tour of New Zealand in June, when Test matches are scheduled against the All Blacks in Auckland and Christchurch.

But a considerable amount of water is set to pass under the bridge before then.