Ashton confident over young guns

Former England rugby coach Brian Ashton is confident England can stay ahead of the rest of the world following the creation of a new development programme.

Ashton is to head the new three-tier academy system unveiled by the Rugby Football Union.

Based at the University of Bath, he will run the junior and intermediate England squads with the aim of feeding players into Clive Woodward's senior party.

"Winning the World Cup was a fantastic achievement but we need to build for the future," Ashton said.