England peaked two years prior to the 2003 WC. We won it simply because we had a solid foundation that was extremely experienced, could rely on each other and could tough it out under the mose extreme circumstances.

But that decline accelerated after the WC. Gone was the creativity and ability to think for themselves. Yhey could no longer rely on experience and each other, because so many players had retired and because the team was chopped and changed too frequently.

What was clear was the need to rebuild from the ground up. To teach the new group how to play together, regardless of style.

When Ashton came in he no longer had the time to create from the ground up and blended a team with experience and new blood. Hoping it was enough time to get them to think for themselves. It is clear that the new players could and did. But the 'experienced' heads could not.

They may have instigated the 'revolt' ibut it was the newer players that made the difference on the field.

Paul, Toronto, Canada

If Brian Ashtons style, was a case of empowering players to take responsibility. It most certainly worked!! So what are we complaining about? Either we like the style or we don't.

STEVE, MIAMI BEACH, USA

Ten months ago Ashton took over an unsuccessful and demoralised England team. This month he took them to within a breath of winning the RWC. How long did it take Woodward?

Surely that is enough said?

Perhaps it is simply that few understand Ashton's method of coaching. It ain't neccesarily the case that the Woodward in-your-face management style is the way forward now. He was just lucky with players that he had at the time. (Did they always listen to him? I'm not sure Mr Johnson was Woodward's biggest fan).

Ashton has an amazing recent track record; he is English and a patriot; he has a player-empowering coaching style (rather that than an All Black-Henry effect) and he wants to do the job, just for the sake of it.

So what is the problem? The RFU should just back the man and motivate him by their belief in him. The Woodward era is history.

Chris

PS: Memo to the RFU: and he'll do the job for relatively little money...

Chris, Oakham, Rutland

Malcolm - I think you may have missed the point here. BA said all along he picked a team to defend the RWC, and which they did in the end! It was a team of some youth but also 'in form' experience! I can only guess BA felt a side of young talent would have performed well but may not have got us to the final, plus he only had 10 months to build a team where as the AB's, SAFA's, et all had 4 years.
I expect that if BA is kept on, there may be a Team Manager role as well, plus a clean sweep of players no longer considered for 2011.
Time for England to learn from RWC 2007 and move on and up!!!

Gary, Bristol, England

Ashton picked a team who could do a job and they did it. They did it brilliantly. Grewcock, Thompson, Hill, Ellis, Tindall, Ward-Smith all missing for various long term/short term/permanent reasons and we still make the final. SA were just missing Spies.

Now is the time to change things and in my opinion Anthony Allen should be one of the first names on the teamsheet as he appears the only english player in top flight rugby who can make a line break from first phase ball. The next 6 months will be the real test of Ashton as he looks to rebuild the side...... again!!

Shaggy, Chester,

Barnesy got to agree with you. All this talk from some of the senior players has really surprised me (esp. Lawro who was lucky to be there). During the last World Cup and previous Lions tours the players have always had a say but ultimately the coaching staff and captains have had to make the final decisions and give direction. I think we have to look at what a short period he has had to prepare for this World Cup and that this team is NOT Ashtonesque in the way they play (look at his years at Bath, strong forwards yes, but also majestic backs). He may not be the great media guru like Woodward but like Woodward he should be held with the highest regard. Ultimately he has formed a team that has been successful in this World Cup. Now pride has been restored lets give him 4 yrs to develop a team for 2011 in the Ashton way, over the next 4 yrs the Cipriani's and Haskells can be introduced into a WINNING team. We have the talent in England but it needs to be nutured, Ashton is that man.

Darren Gratton, Bath,

Brian Ashton has stumbled and bumbled his way to the world cup final. To forget the headless chicken hoplessness of England in the early stages of the tournament would be a gross mistake. If he had had his way, Farrell would have played in the quarter final and England might never have got as far as they did. Ashton's selection of players has been crass. His faith in Farrell, who has done nothing in rugby union, is a nonsense. His faith in players who have had their day (Dallaglio) has delayed the arrival of the next generation and erratic changes (Anthony Allen) show the real shortcomings of his ability to lead the national side with any sort of coherence. As many of the current elderly English team are about to bow out, it is crucial to the interests of the national side that Ashton goes with them.

malcolm andrew, stroud, glos