As a fire-fighting exercise, the RFU's briefing at Twickenham yesterday was less than successful. The governing body chose not to say whether Martin Johnson, the former England captain, would be part of a future management team and claimed that Brian Ashton, the head coach, had been kept fully informed of developments, which runs contrary to the view of the man himself.

But there is a clear, some might say desperate, hope that by next week definite proposals on the structure will be presented to the RFU management board. The individual who must do that, Rob Andrew, was not present yesterday; instead, the union's director of elite rugby was en route from a meeting that, if successful, “would put the final touches in place fairly quickly”, according to Francis Baron.

The thankless task of fending off further media speculation fell to Baron, the RFU's chief executive, who has a good line in pained expressions. According to him, there are two things wrong with the structure of an England management that presided over the national team when it reached the 2007 World Cup final and were runners-up in the recent RBS Six Nations Championship. One concerns “management strategy, focus and direction”, which might be summed up in one word - leadership - and the other that Ashton has always been short-handed in coaching staff.

“The thing that concerns me is the inconsistency between one match and another, between one half and another,” Baron said. “It's something we have to address, but in terms of overall results, we would have rated this as a good season, taking into account the grand slams won by the under-20s and under-18s and the unbeaten record of the England Saxons. The bit that has been spluttering is the England senior team.”

Baron and Martyn Thomas, the management board chairman, emphasised that Andrew was seeking a team manager rather than a new head coach - a role that Sir Clive Woodward, the World Cup-winning head coach in 2003, has suggested was appropriate to Johnson. They also hinted that Ashton and his two lieutenants, John Wells and Mike Ford, would be involved in the evolving management process and that the aim was to build on the existing structure rather than tear it down.

“Brian has done incredibly well,” Thomas said, denying that the management board had suggested the names of any individuals with whom Andrew should be negotiating. But the board will expect a cast-iron proposal next week for the roles of team manager and specialist attack coach and a summary from Andrew as to what the consequences might be if his recommendations are approved.

“I hope all the existing coaches will buy into the new structure,” Baron, who was somewhat opaque on what might happen if the incoming team manager does not want the existing coaches, said. “But there are some feisty individuals who will express strong views. I envisage the new structure coming into place to coincide with the start of the new agreement with the Guinness Premiership clubs, on July 1.”

That would leave Ashton and Co to take England to New Zealand for two internationals in June, planning for which is going ahead in, as Baron acknowledged, nightmarish conditions given the speculation swirling around Ashton's future.

Baron added: “I believe Rob will present to the board next week a carefully thought-out proposal and I'm sure the board will be delighted with what he presents and that they will fully endorse it.”