Richards: Ban Ashton snipers

Harlequins director of rugby Dean Richards has insisted any players who publicly criticise head coach Brian Ashton following England's World Cup campaign should never play for their country again.

Following his side's 10-8 victory over London Irish in the EDF Energy Cup, former international Richards spoke out over the comments directed at Ashton from Lawrence Dallaglio and Mike Catt in serialisations of their books in Sunday newspapers.

He said: "I find it very disturbing that players are coming out and slating Brian. I think it's absolutely disgraceful. These guys should never play for England again."

He added: "Everybody has reasons on occasion to criticise coaches but the unwritten rule in rugby is that you don't criticise each other in the press. It's an absolute disgrace.

"You've got a coach who's taken you into the World Cup final and there may have been a certain amount of discord, but you'd have taken that this time last year."

Richards was far happier with his side's narrow victory, secured with a Chris Hala'ufia try and five points from the boot of Adrian Jarvis.

"We were a bit surprised to be up at half-time and we shut them down in the second half," added Richards.

London Irish counterpart Brian Smith was left frustrated after the Exiles had two tries disallowed - one for debutant Peter Richards and another for number eight Phil Murphy, who did eventually get over the line in the first half.

Smith said: "Peter Richards should have been awarded his try but we didn't take our chances in the second half and we were frustrated by random refereeing decisions, but we didn't help ourselves because we turned the ball over in their 22."