Dream on Danny, do you really think that White will come in reporting to Johnson who reports to Andrew who reports to Club England who report to the RFU. I suspect he would take the job only if he reported straight to the RFU

David, Kettering,

Andre
Don't discount Jake White - team him up with Johnson and a decent coaching line up (the guys behind Ashton should have been held more accountable for England's patchy 6 nations) and I think there's serious room for optimism - AFTER NZ of course ;-)

Danny Tuckwood, Peterborough, Cambs

I have to agree with Andrew below - the treatment of Brian Ashton has been nothing short of disgraceful. He is a proven coach, with experience as long as your arm who has produced the best set of results since the 2003 World Cup Final. What else can he do?

At most Johnson should have be brought in as a PR figure or under Ashton but the current vague/name your terms deal is ridiculous - and totally unacceptable to Brian.

For God's sake Brian take your leave now, retain some dignity and you may end up with the best England coaching record for the next 20 years! I honestly can't see things getting any better with the new regime....I hope I'm wrong!

And as for the joker who says NZ are a country mile ahead of England - who was in the RWC Final? I think NZ and Australia would struggle in the 6 Nations at the moment - only SA would compete....

Rob Andrew :), London, UK

I feel sorry for Brian Ashton. Most true England fans would agree, that the team have generally gone forward during the last 18 months. Second in both the World Cup and the Six Nations, is a vast improvement on the last setup. However it is still short of where we should be.

Martin Johnson is a legend, and I'm glad to see him being involved. He was a huge figure on the field, and I'm sure he'll be the same off it. However until he gains more experience, I believe he should act as a deputy to Brian Ashton or whoever replaces him. What a man to have involved in a half time team talk!!

Tim, Manchester,

As a Bok fan I am glad that White is out of the picture. Looking what he did with the Boks, I sense that he would know exactly how to take England to the heights that has been latent for so long. So, phew, happy about that one....

Andre Rossouw, Johannesburg, South Africa

It is all fairly inconsequential... England are still well behind all the Southern Hemisphere teams--Argentina, Australia, South Africa and a good country mile behind New Zealand.

tony martin, nice, france

I have to agree with Nik Tilling. Surely it would make more sence for Johnson to work under someone with more experience, taking a more long-term view of the situation. The risk of throwing Johnson into the deepend is that he'll sink or at least not swim well enough. HOWEVER, look at the situation with Roy keane and Sunderland. Dependent on the man, the accumine that the individual has, and having a solid support network in place - this could work! Whatever happens, Johnson is certain to demand more attention from this players than Ashton has been able to.

Dominic, Cheshire,

No mug Johnners, starting AFTER the tour of NZ. The only way from there will be up!!

James, Burnley,

The treatment of Ashton is disgraceful. Shoe-horned into the position. Not allowed to select his own coaching team. Undermined and generally treated very badly. If I was him I would walk away from this farce with immediate effect! As a loyal and patrtiotic man he will doubtless take the team to New Zealand however. I just hope he walks away with a sizeable package from the RFU! As for Johnson ... a leader with no experience. Wonderful! A great player and fine captain but absolutely no experience of coaching or management, and as for the names being thrown around as his lieutenants! Healey? Ditto. And don't get me started on anyone who suggests White or even Howard?! AN AUSTRALIAN RUNNING ENGLAND RUGBY?! ARE YOU MAD?!

Andrew, London,

You must feel sorry for Brian Ashton, who has been treated quite shabbily throughout.

Steve, Warwick,

NO mention of Jake White? - should he be considered, surely this will be in the hands on coaching role, either to replace or support Ashton - not as manager. The role that has been created for Johnson is a new one to sit between Rob Andrew and the coaching team, to act as a controller of England Rugby...

Ryan Yeoman, tadley, Hampshire

Why no mention of Jake White?

Paul Buddery, Queensland, Australia

Agree...Dean Richards should be involved. Johnson could make this call however. If he does, then it will hopefully be the first of many good decisions by a capable leader.

AT, Sydney, Australia

Whilst there can be no doubt that Johnson will have a positive impact on the England set up, and was always destined to (in a managerial capacity), you have to wonder wether he has stepped in too soon. We can only hope that he is given sufficient time in the job; a 4 year contract needs to be put in place without knee-jerk reactions if results fail to meet expectations immediately. England have been in reactionary mode ever since the retirements after the '03 campaign. We have such talent at our disposal right now, and stability is what we need to make the most of that talent. One does wonder why Dean Richards wasn't called in (with Johnson as the forwards coach?). And I say that as a Quins fan.

Nik Tilling, Brighton, E. Sussex