Brian Ashton will take over as England's head rugby coach following the resignation of Andy Robinson last month.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) said Ashton, 60, will take charge of the world champions for the opening Six Nations match against Scotland at Twickenham on February 3.

"It's a massive privilege and honour to be asked to do the job," Ashton said in a statement.

"I recognise the challenges ahead and along with the other coaches my focus now is to prepare the England team to play Scotland."

England elite rugby director Rob Andrew, who recommended Ashton for the post, said the former Bath trainer was the most experienced coach in the country.

"He has enormous respect with the players and he has massive international and club experience," Andrew said.

Ashton, a former scrumhalf who toured Australia in 1975 without winning a cap, had an unsuccessful spell as Ireland coach in 1997 and 1998.

After resigning, he was a member of the England coaching staff until 2002, the year before England won the World Cup.

He returned to the England set-up in May this year as the attack coach under Robinson, who resigned after England lost three of their four November internationals.

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