Ashton in the dark as Jonno deal is agreed

Brian Ashton remains completely in the dark over his future even though Martin Johnson has agreed in principle to become the new England team manager.

Johnson's appointment is expected to be rubberstamped by the RFU next week - possibly as early as Tuesday - and his contract, that will run until after the 2015 World Cup, will give him the power to hire and fire coaches.

RFU chiefs insisted that details of the deal haven't been finalised. It is clear, however, that 38-year-old Johnson will become England's new team manager having held a second series of talks yesterday with RFU elite director Rob Andrew, and that Ashton will not get his wish to appoint his own man.

Andrew has not yet formally told his Twickenham bosses or Ashton that Johnson is on board. Officially, the England coach has not even been told that the 2003 World Cup winning captain has been approached.

Martyn Thomas, the RFU management board chairman, said today: "I have not been informed of any movement in terms of Martin Johnson or the need to call an emergency meeting of the board which I would have to do."