Brian Ashton critic Mike Catt performed a u-turn of sorts on Wednesday when he stated that the under-fire coach should remain within the England set-up.

Catt, and England team-mate Lawrence Dallaglio, were both damning of Ashton in their respective autobiographies serialised in last Sunday's newspapers.

The veteran back, who played an important role in helping change the fortunes of a mis-firing England side that reached the World Cup final, was particularly critical of the lack of preparation and analysis from Ashton in the pool stages.

But the 36-year-old, who announced his retirement from international rugby after the final, claims the Mail on Sunday article was just part of a chapter and did not give an accurate view of the respect he has for Ashton.

"That was one article and it's not the way I wanted it to be produced," Catt told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

"It is very damning but if people read the chapter (in Catt's book) to the end it is just the headlines that are damning.

"I did the World Cup on a diary basis and I thoroughly believe that is how I felt eight or nine weeks ago.

"What that doesn't bring up is that I've had 15 very good years with Brian Ashton and I have the utmost respect for him.

"If I wasn't writing an autobiography I wouldn't have said those things but it was important (to do so) about the first three weeks of the World Cup to put people in the right mindset to consider how far we've come.

"I feel completely different now about it."

Catt went on to give Ashton his backing as England coach but recommended a new management structure, with the RFU's director of elite rugby Rob Andrew becoming more involved.

"I think Brian is a fantastic coach. He's one of the main reasons I am here," added Catt, a veteran of four World Cups.

"He's got a hell of a lot of knowledge on the attack side of things and if they can get the right staff and coaches around him he's one for the job. When Brian coaches he is fantastic.

"He needs people around him - or people below him - who he can trust because the young players around would do well with Brian.

"I think maybe they (Rob Andrew and Ashton) should work more closely. I know Rob has taken a back seat so far but maybe they should work together."

Dallaglio was even more critical of Ashton but has yet to comment on the Sunday Times' serialisation of his autobiography.

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport