Former England rugby coach Brian Ashton claims he is "looking forward" to his new consultancy role with the Rugby Football Union.

He will provide "a range of high-level performance consultancy services" which will include both business and sporting advice.

The former Fylde scrum-half and his company - SCD South West Limited - will be on a renewable annual contract.

Ashton ended a three-month saga by formally rejecting the RFU's offer to become their national academy head coach.

It followed the end of his reign as England head coach, the axe falling despite him leading England to the 2007 World Cup final and a second-placed finish in last season's Six Nations Championship.

Martin Johnson, England's 2003 World Cup-winning captain, was appointed manager in April, while Brian Smith recently left London Irish to join existing England coaches John Wells and Mike Ford.

The RFU received widespread condemnation for their handling of Ashton, with many people feeling the national academy offer amounted to nothing more than a derisory move.

Ashton said: "I have given full and careful consideration over the last two months to my future career plans."