The former England coach Brian Ashton has been sounded out by the Rugby Football Union to take a coaching role for the 2012 Six Nations, in a sign of the increasing desperation gripping Twickenham.

On the day that two leading international coaches, Nick Mallett and Wayne Smith, declared their interest in the vacant England post but said they would not be able to begin until next summer, it emerged that Ashton is one of the names in the frame to form an interim management team to take the team through the championship.

Ashton was sacked by England in humiliating fashion in 2008, six months after leading the team to the World Cup final. He was left in limbo as the RFU talked Martin Johnson into becoming team manager and it would take a lot to persuade him to return.

Ashton, who commands respect among the England players, is the only proven attack coach available to begin immediately.