Mike Catt wants his fellow World Cup winner Martin Johnson to generate a "no excuses" environment when he starts work as England team manager.

Johnson will not officially take charge until July 1, but his early tasks include identifying an addition to England's coaching staff and assessing selection options for a June 1 clash against the Barbarians, which is followed by a two-Test New Zealand tour.

His most pressing engagement is an appointment with the media at Twickenham later today, where he is due to be joined by Rugby Football Union elite rugby director Rob Andrew and chief executive Francis Baron.

It all follows the RFU management board's decision on Wednesday when Brian Ashton was relieved of England head coaching duties and offered a national academy post instead.

Catt, who has been linked to a backs coach role in Johnson's set-up, said: "I think it is a fantastic decision to get 'Johnno' involved. He is a winner and a very good leader.

"There are no airs and graces about the guy. He will tell it how it is and won't leave anyone in any doubt about what he wants.

"He will hopefully bring back that environment where there are no excuses like there have been over the last two or three years.

"I don't think his lack of management experience will be a problem at all. He has been there before and done it all before, and he will know exactly what he wants.

"As long as he gets the backing from the RFU and gets exactly what he needs and gets the right people in place, then I can see him being very successful."

As for his own possible involvement, Catt added: "At the moment, I am concentrating on the playing side of things and coaching with London Irish.

"If I do get a phone call then of course I would love to be involved. I haven't spoken to anybody at the moment."

Ashton has yet to make any public comment, maintaining a dignified silence despite the RFU's public courting of Johnson, but Ashton would be on firm ground if he now opted to take a legal route.

Catt admitted: "The situation hasn't been handled very well at all, we all know that. I have a great deal of sympathy for Brian.

"He has done absolutely nothing wrong, and I don't know where he goes from here.

"I don't know if he will take the academy role. He obviously has his plans. It will be a big loss to English rugby if he does end up walking away."

Richard Linskell, employment partner at Dawsons Solicitors in London, said: "Ashton can certainly feel hard done by the treatment he received from the RFU.

"In terms of his legal rights, if as some media reports are saying, Ashton found out that his employer was courting a replacement without his knowledge, there would be a clear case of constructive dismissal.

"All employers - including sporting bodies - must be careful not to breach the duty of mutual trust and confidence by words or acts that they know, or should know, are likely to undermine the employment relationship."

Sporting Life / Eurosport