England coaching team: Andy Robinson's new-look England coaching team finally began to take shape yesterday evening with the appointment of Mike Ford and John Wells as specialist assistants.
The RFU have been searching for a new coaching team to support Robinson for the last month after axing Joe Lydon, Phil Larder and Dave Alred following a disappointing Six Nations Championship campaign.
Ford, who has worked as a defence specialist for Ireland and the British and Irish Lions, joins England from English Premiership club Saracens and is a direct replacement for Larder.
Wells has promoted from the RFU's National Academy and has been brought on board as a specialist forwards coach, a position created at Robinson's request.
The RFU expect to name Lydon's replacement as attack coach - widely tipped to be Bath coach Brian Ashton - later this week.
Ford and Wells linked up with the England squad at the team hotel yesterday evening as the players gathered to begin preparations for Sunday's game against the Barbarians at Twickenham.
England leave for Australia on Monday, where they face back-to-back Tests against the Wallabies.
Jon Callard replaces Wells as head coach of the England Saxons for the Churchill Cup defence.
He will be assisted by fellow national academy coach Simon Hardy.
Wells and Ford have been appointed on one-year rolling contracts, as is standard practice.
Robinson played a central role in selecting the successful candidates, who also had an input into squad selection for the summer tour.
Robinson said: "I am delighted that John and Mike will be joining me in a new coaching team which will take England forward.
"Both are experienced coaches who will bring a lot to their respective roles and I am looking forward to working with them.
"This is an exciting time for England leading up to the Rugby World Cup and I am confident that the coaching set-up we are assembling is one capable of helping us successfully defend our title."
Wells joined the RFU last June after 23 years as a player and coach at Leicester Tigers.
Ford, who was linked with a move to the Welsh coaching team, said:
"Working with England is something I couldn't turn down and I can't wait to get down to training with the players this week and in Australia."
FIXTURES
FRIDAY
Celtic League: Connacht v Glasgow Warriors, Sportsground, 6.30; Edinburgh Gunners v Leinster, Murrayfield, 7.10; Ospreys v Ulster, Liberty Stadium, Swansea, 7.10; Border Reivers v Dragons, Netherdale, 7.30.
SATURDAY
Super 14 Final: Crusaders v Hurricanes, Jade Stadium, Christchurch, 8.30.
Celtic League: Munster v Cardiff Blues, Thomond Park, 5.30.
CelticLeague
P W D L F A B Pts
Ulster 21 16 1 4 491 330 5 71
Leinster 21 15 0 6 514 419 9 69
Cardiff 21 13 0 8 467 352 11 63
Munster 21 13 0 8 402 364 9 61
Edinburgh 21 13 0 8 410 384 8 60
Ospreys 21 13 0 8 364 390 2 54
Llanelli 21 11 1 9 418 402 7 53
Dragons 21 9 0 12 350 413 9 45
Border 21 8 0 13 343 496 7 39
Glasgow 21 7 0 14 364 406 9 37
Connacht 21 7 0 14 292 459 4 32
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