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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All times are Bahamian.

As the 2007/08 IRB Sevens World Series continues in George, defending champions New Zealand were slow to start with Kenya in pool A making several threatening breaks, but ran out 19-0 winners after tries from Edwin Cocker (2) and Israel Dagg.


The defending champions were more clinical against Zimbabwe with Dagg scoring two of New Zealand's seven tries in a 41-0 victory after captain DJ Forbes had touched down the opening try.


England also started with a victory, overcoming Zimbabwe 24-7.


However, hopes of a Cup quarter-final were dealt a blow when two tries by Kenya's captain Innocent Simiyu saw his side run out 17-7 winners.

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You were denied that try by the television referee in the World Cup final. Does it still hurt?


It's always going to be in the back of my mind. Rob Andrew was speaking to the boys in the dressing room after the final. He had been in a similar situation in 1991 [when England lost to Australia] and said that losing in a World Cup final is something that you will not forget for the rest of your life. Given what happened with that try, for me the memory will only be stronger. (Watch the incident here and judge for yourself)


You said afterwards it was a try. Are you still convinced of that?


I am, absolutely. There was no definite view to prove that it wasn't a try but there were 101 views to prove that it was. In that situation, the benefit of the doubt must go to the attacking side. In any other game, it would have been given.
I don't know how many people have told me that they're certain it was a try. It happens all the time, whether I'm at an event, in the street, or just putting petrol in the car. People will come up to you and want to talk about the try. It's nice that people are interested, that they're passionate about what we did. But it shows you the depth of feeling over the decision.

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