Brian Ashton MBE
Tyldesley RUFC was where Brian played fly-half in his first season in 1965/6, then his preferred position of scrum-half for 1966/67.
Although offered professional contracts by several Rugby League clubs, Brian moved to Fylde and later to Orrell between 1973 and 1975 to be closer to his Leigh home.
Brian never represented England at the senior level, coming closest as an unused bench replacement in the 15 March 1975 match against Scotland. However, he proudly played representative rugby for Lancashire, England North, the England tourists, and the Barbarians.
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Brian Ashton MBE
A highly respected coach, Brian has worked at both club and international levels and is renowned as one of the finest backs coaches in world rugby. His coaching philosophy is based on an expansive, dynamic approach.
In his first tenure as Head Coach, Brian led Bath to their last domestic trophy in 1996. As Assistant Coach of Bath under Jack Rowell, he was instrumental in helping Bath establish dominance in English rugby during the 1990s.
From 1998 to 2002, Brian served as Sir Clive Woodward’s assistant, playing a key role in England’s rugby successes. He then became the RFU’s National Academy Manager from 2002 to 2005, where he was pivotal in launching England Rugby’s National Academy system. This included the creation of the Junior and Senior National Academies, designed to nurture the best emerging talent at England A, Sevens, Under 21, and Under 19 levels. Brian also coached several of these feeder teams, including England A.
In September 2008, Brian was appointed Director of Coaching at the University of Bath, where he successfully coached the Oxford University Blues to a memorable victory at Twickenham in the 2008 Varsity Match.
In recognition of his services to rugby, Brian was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2008 New Year Honours.
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