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The Rugby Football Union Management Board today unanimously approved the appointment of Brian Ashton as England Head Coach with immediate effect.

The 60-year-old Lancastrian's first game in charge will be the RBS 6 Nations opener against Scotland at Twickenham on Saturday February 3 (4pm).

Ashton, who was appointed attack coach last May, replaces Andy Robinson OBE and will continue to work with forwards coach John Wells and defence coach Mike Ford.

England Head Coach, Brian Ashton said "It's a massive privilege and honour to be asked to do the job. I recognise the challenges ahead of us and along with the other Coaches team my focus now is to prepare the England team to play Scotland in the RBS 6 Nations on February 3rd."

Elite Rugby Director Rob Andrew, who recommended Ashton, said: "Brian is the most experienced coach in England, he has enormous respect with the players and he has massive international and club experience. This coaching team have only been together since May and I believe Brian is the right man to lead the coaches and players into a new period for English rugby starting with the RBS 6 Nations opener against Scotland”

BRIAN ASHTON BIOGRAPHY

Position: England Head Coach

Born: 3.9.46, Leigh, Lancashire

Playing history (1965-1980): Tyldesley, Fylde, Orrell, A.S. Montferrand, Roma, Milano, Lancashire, North of England, England squad (Australia 1975), Barbarians

Coaching history: England Colts, Bath (1989-1996), Ireland (1996-98), England assistant coach (1998-2002), National Academy Manager (2002 to 2005), Bath Rugby (Jan to May 2006), England Attack Coach (May 2006 to December 19 2006).

Brian started his senior coaching career with Bath in 1989 as backs coach under then manager Jack Rowell and immediately gained a reputation as being a creative and attacking coach.

A golden period of success followed when Bath were widely recognised as one of if not the best club rugby sides in the world. Bath won the league and cup in 1990/91, 1991/92, 1993/94 and in 1995/96 when the Lancastrian was the club’s head coach following Jack Rowell’s elevation to the position of England Manager.

Success with Bath led to international recognition, and after leaving his position at Bath, Brian was quickly appointed as the Ireland head coach. However, his country called and Brian was appointed England assistant coach in 1998 for what was the second time in his coaching career (he was assistant on England’s tour to New Zealand in 1985).

Working alongside Clive Woodward, a period of resurgence followed and 2001 is widely regarded as a golden period of English rugby with the National side playing some outstanding rugby in a championship that was sadly eventually decided by the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the UK. Brian stepped down as assistant coach in 2002 to take up the new role of RFU National Academy Manager.

Based at the University of Bath, Brian presided over England’s brightest talents, grooming young players to become future England stars. During his time as National Academy Manager, he oversaw the development of a number of current England internationals.

Brian returned to Bath Rugby in January 2006 and guided them to the Heineken Cup semi-final in April before rejoining the RFU in May ahead of the tour to Australia.