LAWRENCE Dallaglio has apologised for his attack on England head coach Brian Ashton.

The Wasps and England backrow was scathing of the preparations for the recent World Cup in his new autobiography, claiming the squad felt like a pub team'' and that Ashton didn't have'' the skills needed for his job.

England went on to recover from a disastrous start to the tournament to claim an unexpected place in the final before losing to South Africa.

Given the current tide of public goodwill towards the national team, and the fact that the RFU are yet to complete their assessment of the tournament - and Ashton's position - Dallaglio admits he may have been wise to hold back.

People are entitled to their opinions. I didn't set out in this book to embarrass anyone, to make bad comments about other people, and if that's happened I apologise,'' he said.

But I think it would have been wrong of me not to finish with the 2007 World Cup the same way as I have tried to achieve through the book, which is just to be honest and open with my opinions.

The timing obviously wasn't great, the dust is yet to settle on the World Cup, and if that's caused a problem then I apologise unreservedly.

But people will hopefully read the book and think it's reasonably balanced.'' Dallaglio was restricted to a fringe role after starting in England's under-par opening 28-10 win over the USA.

But the 35-year-old insists his criticism of Ashton is not borne out of anger at his marginalising.

I don't want people to think I've come back from the World Cup a bitter player. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience."