Rugby chiefs may silence players

Dallaglio was one of those openly critical of Ashton

England stars could be hit with gagging orders at the end of major tournaments to prevent a repeat of the criticism of coach Brian Ashton after the World Cup.
The Rugby Football Union will discuss at a meeting on Wednesday imposing a post-tournament cooling-off period.

Ashton has been criticised by Lawrence Dallaglio and Mike Catt for his management style during the World Cup, despite England reaching the final.

"I think it is absolutely disgraceful," said RFU chairman Martyn Thomas.

"This has tarnished a great achievement. If we are honest, the players, the coaches, everyone delivered far above any expectations that we had before going into the Rugby World Cup.

"There is a commercial interest in the timing of it. A week after England's achievement this stuff is being peddled.

"Any clause we introduce will cover major tours and tournaments, but within the confines of the law. We can't become censors. We have freedom of speech.

"I will raise it at Wednesday's management board meeting and I am sure that Rob Andrew and chief executive Francis Baron will raise it as well," he told the Daily Telegraph.

When England won the World Cup in 2003, head coach Sir Clive Woodward had player columns and interviews closely monitored.

He went even further when he took charge of the Lions tour to New Zealand in 2005, preventing players and staff giving interviews or publishing any tour diaries or autobiographies until six months after the trip.

Dallaglio and Catt, who criticised Ashton in their autobiographies, could yet be disciplined under RFU regulations if it is proved the books contained statements prejudicial to the interests of the Union or the game.

Although Ashton's position as coach is under review, one man who is supporting the beleaguered head coach is captain Phil Vickery.

"From my perspective Brian Ashton and the coaches worked their arses off to get things right. So did the players," Vickery told The Times.

"We did have issues and some of Lawrence's points are very valid, but at the same time we have to remember there is a book to sell.

"Brian is always going to have his critics but a line has to be drawn. Sometimes people step over it. I feel very, very sorry for Brian with some of the things that have been said.

"Brian has always had the best interests of the country at heart. Yes we know there were some issues behind the scenes. We did have a meeting to sort out bits and pieces. We said what we felt.

"I am sure Brian will look back and admit mistakes were made and would agree that things could and maybe should have been done differently. I am sure he has asked himself, 'Would I or should I have done this or that?'"