By Andrew Baldock FOR someone who took his team to the Rugby World Cup final, it seems ridiculous to suggest Brian Ashton has not made his mark.

The England coach, though, would probably agree. The 2007 rugby year proved an unforgettable rollercoaster for England.

Three home wins in the RBS 6 Nations, a crushing defeat against Ireland, and two roastings in South Africa gave Ashton, right, a fierce introduction.

Then came the World Cup.

Quite how England managed one of the sport's great transformations will remain a hot topic for some time.

Was it Ashton? Was it player power?

Perhaps we will never know, but 36 days after England were battered 36-0 by South Africa at Stade de France, they reappeared at the same ground against the same opponents to contest the World Cup final. That, perhaps inevitably, proved an anti-climax, England losing 15-6 in a dour contest only notable for wing Mark Cueto's disallowed try.

For Ashton, the real work is about to begin. Such was England's hectic 2007 schedule, he did not really have time to stop and think.

Now the dust has finally settled, Ashton can start planning with time on his side.

Appointed "indefinitely"

- that can be interpreted as a four-year contract to include the 2011World Cup - Ashton has already started shaping England's future.

The presence of dynamic talents like Danny Cipriani, Tom Croft and James Haskell in his squad is a firm pointer towards 2011.

Ashton, though, is no fool.

He knows there has to be a degree of pragmatism along the way. Ashton has lost Lawrence Dallaglio, Jason Robinson, Mike Catt and Martin Corry, but plenty of experience remains in his squad.

And what of Lesley Vainikolo, the Tonga-born former New Zealand rugby league international, who has qualified for England on residency?

Ashton, a huge league fan, has rushed Vainikolo into his first England squad of 2008, and expect the 28-year-old to leave a considerable mark on the Six Nations, maybe as an ultimate impact substitute.

Recent Six Nations history does not make good reading for England, but this time around they have the appearance of serious Six Nations challengers.

But, above all, they will do things in a slightly different way this year - Ashton's way.

11:47am Tuesday 5th February 2008

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