Baron ready for new era
Looking Forward: Baron not pleased with Ashton treatment and current 'leaky' process
Francis Baron is relishing the prospect of a new streamlined decision-making process that will soon be in place at Twickenham.
The Rugby Football Union have received widespread condemnation for their handling of the Brian Ashton affair.
Ashton lost his job as England Head Coach earlier this week in a major reshuffle that saw World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson appointed as Team Manager.
Ashton, despite leading England to last autumn's World Cup final, has now been offered the job of RFU National Academy Coach, a position he is said to be considering.
But the whole business was overshadowed by claims that Ashton was not kept informed of developments during talks between RFU Elite Rugby Director Rob Andrew and Johnson, leaving the ex-head coach furious his position had been undermined.
While the RFU claim Ashton is not contemplating legal action against his employers, it is an episode that has left a sour taste.
"We haven't handled the process as well as we should have done," admitted RFU Chief Executive Baron.
"There have been too many people involved in the process - too much unofficial briefing - and that has made Rob's job very difficult.
"It has been hurtful to Brian, so I am not pleased about the situation.
"The good part about it is that the new agreement (between the RFU and Premiership clubs) kicks in on July 1. The PGB (Professional Game Board) starts on July 1, and then we have a streamlined structure in place.
"Unfortunately, we still had to go through the old processes on this one. It is long and very leaky because so many people were involved.
"What you need in these situations is a shorter process, with one body making decisions, and that is where we will be in July.
"I don't like picking up the newspapers and reading the fairly acerbic criticism of the RFU."
The RFU were widely accused of duplicity in courting Johnson, having only re-appointed Ashton as head coach in December.
At the time, Andrew described it as the start of a "long-term project" and promised Ashton the team manager of his choice - someone who would help with the administrative burden, but not interfere with rugby affairs.
The ground shifted dramatically after some inconsistent performances in the Six Nations though, and those close to Ashton maintain senior RFU officials demanded Andrew bring Johnson on board.
But Andrew has insisted no-one was plotting behind Ashton's back, that the process was far more gradual than it appears, and that Ashton was kept fully informed throughout.
There were also strong suggestions that senior players - not Ashton - were the driving force behind England's staggering World Cup recovery following a 36-0 pool defeat to eventual tournament winners South Africa.
"You have to look at the bigger picture, and that is what I have tried to do in this, despite the furore of the last few weeks," Andrew said.
"I understand the point of winning the next Test match, but somebody has to look at the long term - that is why my role was created.
"We have done that in the last eighteen months, and now it is about striding into the new agreement and setting the environment Martin has been talking about."