Scrum of the Earth /

Brian Ashton has rejected the RFU's offer to become England's national academy head coach, choosing to instead pursue "a range of high-level performance consultancy services" for the RFU.

After several months of deliberation, Ashton has decided the way forward is  with his "own company delivering high-level performance processes in all areas of sporting and business life."

The RFU copped a lot of stick for their handling of Ashton with widespread opinion being that the academy role is a cheap alternative.