Ashton in danger as Johnson gets ready

Brian Ashton's position as England head coach will today come under serious threat as Martin Johnson prepares to take on the role of team manager.

Rob Andrew, the Rugby Football Union elite rugby director, will recommend to the management board that World Cup-winning captain Johnson is appointed with the power to hire and fire coaches and select players.

That would undermine Ashton and could force him out of the job even though he only signed a new contract - which had no fixed length - just three months ago.

Ashton would be against Johnson taking charge and last week Standard Sport revealed the 61-year-old had spoken to former England and Bath centre Phil de Glanville about the possibility of accepting the role.

Andrew will address the management board as he presents his report on the Six Nations where defeats to Wales and Scotland caused concern among the Twickenham hierarchy, even though England finished as runners-up.

The appointment of Johnson is the key recommendation although there could be a delay as the 38-year-old may not be available for the summer two-Test tour of New Zealand because his wife is expecting their second child at the time.

The elite rugby director will also tell the board to make Mike Catt backs coach, which could again cause conflict as he criticised Ashton after the World Cup. Catt's post-tournament book claimed Ashton's preparations and tactics were flawed, but the London Irish player-coach insists he still believes the head coach should stay in charge.

Another former England international, Austin Healey, has also been tipped for the role but the arrival of Catt would be a significant step as he is the best young backs coach in the country. Brian Smith, the Irish director of rugby, said: "I know I am biased but Catty would do a fantastic job for England as backs coach and I would also put Toby Booth, our forwards coach, in the frame for a job with the national squad as well.

"You do not just suddenly become a good backs coach and it's a skill that has to be learnt through sheer hard work."