Vickery blasts RFU over Ashton axing
Sat, 19 Apr 2008 10:52
England captain Phil Vickery has blasted the Rugby Football Union's (RFU) handling of the Brian Ashton affair.
Ashton was axed as head coach this week following Martin Johnson's appointment as team manager and is set to accept a demotion to the National Academy.
Ironically, the RFU's recruitment of a team manager came at the request of Ashton, who wanted someone to assume some of his duties but ultimately answer to him.
Vickery feels Ashton has every right to feel aggrieved at how things have turned out.
"There's nothing wrong with trying to have a bit of common decency about things," Vickery said in the Daily Telegraph.
"They say it's a professional sport but some old-fashioned manners don't go amiss.
"The way Brian has been treated has not been great. He did some heroic things for England and that ought not to be forgotten".
Vickery, who is sidelined for the rest of this season with a knee injury, has urged the RFU to give Johnson whatever he needs to succeed.
Wasps prop Vickery, part of the 2003 World Cup-winning side captained by Johnson, also insists he is not concerned he may be replaced as skipper.
He said: "There will be tough times ahead and they've got to give Martin all that he needs and back him all the way.
"He needs to know that he's got support because there are big decisions to make.
"I've spoken to Martin and whatever happens with the captaincy is not an issue. He will have his ideas on all that in his own time. I just want to keep performing and keep pushing".
