One training session turned around England's dismal rugby World Cup campaign last year when the defending champions were on the verge of elimination, according to coach Brian Ashton.


England, humiliated 36-0 by eventual champions South Africa in the group stages, rallied to beat Samoa and Tonga and reach the knockout stages where they defeated Australia and hosts France to reach the final for the second successive tournament.


In an interview in The Independent newspaper on Thursday, Ashton described the notorious emergency meeting when the team sat down with the management to thrash out a survival plan after the South Africa defeat.


Autobiographies published since the tournament by former captain Lawrence Dallaglio and Mike Catt have suggested Ashton was out of his depth as coach and the players had been forced to take command.

"There was a good deal of talk, very honest talk, and everyone who wanted to make a contribution did so. Contrary to popular belief, there was no swearing that I can remember," Ashton said.
"What I do remember is a considerable amount of disagreement between the players themselves about things we'd done in the buildup to the tournament. What emerged was a need for clarity."

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Brian Ashton was appointed England's rugby coach on Wednesday, taking over from Andy Robinson.


The 60-year-old Ashton will take over his coaching duties with immediate effect, the English Rugby Football Union (RFU) said in a statement.
His first game in charge will be the Six Nations opener against Scotland at Twickenham on Saturday February 3.

"It's a massive privilege and honour to be asked to do the job," Ashton said.
"I recognise the challenges ahead of us and along with the other Coaches team my focus now is to prepare the England team to play Scotland."

Ashton was appointed England's attack coach in May and he will continue to work with forwards coach John Wells and defence coach Mike Ford the RFU statement said.
He would then have nine further games before England launch their World Cup defence against the United States in Lens on September 8, with France (three times), Wales (twice), South Africa (twice), Ireland and Italy all on the agenda.

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