LONDON (AFP) - England coach Brian Ashton was in bullish mood on the eve of his under-performing side's final 2008 Six Nations match at home to Ireland on Saturday.

But he made it clear that his own self-belief was not dependent upon the kind of vote of confidence he received from Rugby Football Union director of elite rugby Rob Andrew on Friday.

There had been intense speculation that were England, already beaten by Wales and Scotland in this season's Six Nations, to lose again this weekend that Ashton's job would be under threat.

However Andrew, in an interview with The Times insisted there would be no "kneejerk reaction" and a change in leadership before England's two Tests against New Zealand in June is "not something I would consider at this point".

Many critics insisted England reached last year's World Cup final, where they lost to South Africa, in spite of, rather than because of, Ashton.

But the England coach told reporters at Twickenham here Friday: "I don't feel any pressure. I think people around me do - by that I mean family and friends - but I don't and I won't do either.

"I am perfectly happy with how I operate as a coach. I know this business is results driven but there is a lot more to it than that.

"Some areas of our game have made a significant amount of progress and we have a group of players who are prepared to work really hard to move our game forward," he added ahead of a game where Ireland will be looking for a fifth straight win over England.

"We have won seven of our last 11 games so it could have been worse. I am disappointed it is only two from four in the Six Nations. Hopefully it will be three out of five."

Ashton courted fresh controversy when, in response to England's 15-9 defeat away to Scotland last weekend, he dropped Jonny Wilkinson, but no other member of the starting side, and brought in 20-year-old rising star Danny Cipriani for his first Test start.

Some accused Ashton of 'scapegoating' outside-half Wilkinson, the drop-goal here of England's 2003 World Cup final win.

Steve Bates, Wilkinson's coach at Newcastle and also the man in charge of the England Saxons, the national reserve side, was particularly scathing, branded Ashton's decision to drop Wilkinson to the bench "ridiculous".

An unimpressed Ashton said Friday: "People have opinions. I don't operate like that."

Former England outside-half Andrew said there were grounds for optimism regarding the team's future.

"We have the least experienced side in the Six Nations," he told The Times.

"There was huge expectation because we reached the World Cup final four months ago, then a lot of experience left the side after that but there is plenty of confidence about where the English game is going.

"We're working hard to produce better young players to play for England in the future. The building process for 2011 (when the next World Cup is played) is under way."