Brian Ashton looks set to be unveiled as England's new head coach at Twickenham on Wednesday afternoon. Ashton's appointment should be confirmed for the 2007 RBS 6 Nations Championship and Rugby World Cup campaigns.
On Wednesday, Rugby Football Union management board members will be presented with a recommendation for Andy Robinson's successor by RFU elite rugby director Rob Andrew.
Assuming there are no last-minute hitches, 60-year-old Lancastrian Ashton will land the role, starting with England's opening Six Nations game against Scotland at Twickenham on February 3rd.
Ashton would then have nine further games before England launch their World Cup defence against the USA in Lens on September 8th, with France (three times), Wales (twice), South Africa (twice), Ireland and Italy all on the agenda.
Ashton's anticipated promotion from his current job as England head attack coach should ensure a relatively seamless transition as England desperately seek stability and continuity following three miserable years.
England have won just 12 from 30 Tests since Martin Johnson held aloft the Webb Ellis Trophy at Sydney's Telstra Stadium.
World Cup mastermind Sir Clive Woodward presided over three of those victories, then Robinson's failed 22-game reign produced only nine wins as England plummeted down the International Rugby Board official world rankings.
Ashton's only previous experience as an international head coach hardly set pulses racing.
He oversaw a forgettable period in charge of Ireland in 1997 and 1998, having initially replaced Murray Kidd before another New Zealander - Warren Gatland - stepped in after Ashton resigned.
Ireland's results during that spell included a record 46-6 home defeat against England, and Ashton went on to join the red rose coaching staff under Woodward in 1998 for four years, then land an appointment as RFU national academy manager before linking up with England again seven months ago following a short second period in charge at Bath.
Ashton's coaching team for 2007 will include current colleagues John Wells (forwards) and Mike Ford (defence), while it is understood an addition to the trio could come in scrummaging specialist Phil Keith-Roach, who was part of the England 2003 World Cup support staff.
The other issue is whether or not Andrew intends recommending a managerial figure who would effectively be England squad's public face throughout 2007.
Harlequins rugby director Dean Richards and former Springboks supremo Nick Mallett have both been touted as candidates for a major England role post-Robinson, yet there is little likelihood of any movement there, certainly in the short term.
