Mike Catt believes England rugby boss Brian Ashton still has a role to play with the national side.

The retired centre, along with fellow veteran Lawrence Dallaglio, was credited with some blunt assessments of Ashton's handling of the squad during the recent World Cup finals in France.

Ashton is waiting to learn if he is to remain in charge of England's rugby team beyond the end of the year when his one-year rolling contract expires.

And reflecting on the headlines he made earlier this week ahead of the publication of his book, Catt said: "That was one article and it's not the way I wanted it to be produced. 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."

While South Africa's World Cup-winning boss Jake White has linked himself to a future role with England, Catt would prefer to see an Englishman at the helm.

He added: "I think there are enough good people in England to do that job. Let's keep it English as possible.

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

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