LONDON, Dec 29: England rugby union coach Brian Ashton and retired former captain Jason Robinson are among sports stars who received awards in Queen Elizabeth II’s New Year Honours list published on Saturday.

The 61-year-old Ashton, who lead England to the World Cup final, is made an MBE and former-Sale skipper and rugby league star Robinson, 33, becomes an OBE.

Former Bath coach Ashton said: “I am honoured and privileged to receive an MBE. This award is not just for me, but for all who have been involved and helped me throughout my rugby career.

“I’m delighted for Jason too. He has contributed so much to both union and league. He thoroughly deserves the honour.”

Rachael Heyhoe-Flint, 68, who captained the England cricket team when they won the inaugural women’s World Cup in 1973 and in 2004 became the first woman elected to the full committee of the formerly men-only Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), also gets an OBE.Brian Cookson, the president of the British Cycle Federation, gets the same award. Snooker player John Higgins, the two-time world champion who ended a nine-year wait for his second Crucible title in May, gets an MBE.

Veteran broadcaster Des Lynam, former runner Brendan Foster, Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) chief executive Gordon Taylor and Wimbledon tennis’ long-serving groundsman Eddie Seaward are others rewarded with honours.—AFP