Harlequins director of rugby Dean Richards believes any England players who publicly criticise coach Brian Ashton following the side’s World Cup campaign should never be allowed to play for their country again.

Following comments fired at Ashton by Lawrence Dallaglio and Mike Catt in extracts from their books in Sunday newspapers, Richards said: "I find it very disturbing that players are coming out and slating Brian.

"I think it's absolutely disgraceful. These guys should never play for England again.

"Everybody has reasons on occasion to criticise coaches but the unwritten rule in rugby is that you don't criticise each other in the press. It's an absolute disgrace.

"You've got a coach who's taken you into the World Cup final and there may have been a certain amount of discord, but you'd have taken that this time last year.