By Simon Austin

Ashton and Lenihan worked together for Ireland

Ex-Lions boss Donal Lenihan has warned England they need more than a new head coach to turn around their fortunes.

Lenihan, who worked alongside new England head coach Brian Ashton for Ireland in the 1990s, thinks English rugby has deep-rooted problems.

"The whole structure in England makes it very difficult for the head coach," Lenihan told BBC Sport.

"Brian isn't going to be able to come in and wave a magic wand, because the problems go far deeper than the coach."

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Former Ireland captain Lenihan, 47, has managed both Ireland and the Lions.

And he says the biggest - and perhaps insurmountable - problem for Ashton is the fact he will not have total control over his players.

I have a huge amount of respect for Brian and I'm sure the England players will as well Donal Lenihan

Although the Rugby Football Union pays players when they play for England, they are contracted to their clubs.

In contrast, the Irish RFU centrally contracts its top players.

"Ireland are getting the maximum out of their players, who are available 99% of the time," Lenihan said.

"Everything in Ireland is geared toward the national team.

"Top players can be rested when necessary and overseas players are only recruited by the Irish sides where they will add quality and are absolutely necessary.

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"I think the top players are exhausted. Take this week as an example. England's top players are preparing with their clubs for a weekend of Guiness Premiership matches, whereas the Ireland squad is in Portugal taking part in warm-weather training.

"If England and France could turn back the clock I'm sure they would centrally contract their players."

Lenihan was brought in as a selector during Ashton's brief tenure as Ireland coach from 1996 to 1998.

"We didn't have the backs to play the game that Brian envisaged at the time and results didn't go his way," Lenihan said.

"But I have a huge amount of respect for him and I'm sure the England players will as well.

"He had a huge impact in a short time at Bath last year. My worry is that there are so many factors are outside of the England coach's remit.

"There are so many outside influences, mainly the battle between the clubs and the RFU, and he's going to have a very difficult job."