Rugby is life!!!!

England captain Phil Vickery has hit out at the criticism levelled at Head Coach Brian Ashton.

Ashton's
position has been consistently undermined over the last six months despite him
guiding England to second-placed finishes at the World Cup and in the Six
Nations.

Former World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson is expected to be appointed
team manager shortly, which could spell the end for Ashton.

"It doesn't matter what happens, I don't think certain people are ever
going to be happy with Brian," Vickery said, speaking to the Daily
Mirror.

"Brian could go and win a Test series in the summer in New Zealand and something
would still be wrong."

Vickery's position is also under threat, with Matt Stevens pushing to be
first-choice prop, but the 32-year-old insists he still has plenty to offer England.


"I don't play rugby just to captain my country, I want to be part of this
team going forward in whatever role that is," added the Wasp.

"I'm passionate about playing for my country and I feel I can still do
it."