Ashton earns recall for Six Nations clash
ENGLAND have sprung a surprise by naming Sale Sharks winger Chris Ashton in place of Jack Nowell for tomorrow’s Guinness Six Nations clash with France at Twickenham.
Nowell impressed through his work-rate and carrying in the 32-20 victory over Ireland but has lost his spot on the right wing to Ashton, who makes his first Championship start since 2013.
Ashton is well known to France’s players after spending a season at Toulon in which he set a new Top 14 try-scoring record of 24 touch downs in 23 appearances before joining Sale last summer.
“We have gone for Chris Ashton on the wing because we think he might sneak us a try early in the game,” head coach Eddie Jones said.
“We’ve just got a gut feeling he’ll be right for the start and Jack will be right for the end.
“Jack was absolutely outstanding for us against Ireland, absolutely outstanding, so it’s just a different role for him this time.
“He’s got a great work-rate and can fill a number of positions. At the end of the game that work-rate is going to be important.” The second change to the starting XV sees Courtney Lawes partner George Kruis at lock after Maro Itoje was struck down by a knee injury in Dublin. Filling the vacancy on the bench created by Lawes’ promotion is Joe Launchbury. Itoje was expected to be missing until the final rounds but he could now be back sooner than expected from his grade two medial ligament tear, although Jones declined to reveal whether that would be in time for the February 23 appointment with Wales.
“It’s unfortunate Maro is injured but he has been rehabbing well so we are hopeful he will be back earlier than maybe first predicted,” Jones said.
When asked if he could return in time to face Warren Gatland’s men, Jones replied: “I’m always optimistic.
He was almost available for selection this week but he’s not.
“We’ve got great depth in the squad so Joe Launchbury and Courtney Lawes will fill Maro’s shoes very well.” Apart from the presence of Nowell and Launchbury, there are two more changes to the bench in the form of props Dan Cole and Ben Moon, who have displaced Harry Williams and Ellis Genge.
Neither flanker Brad Shields nor winger Joe Cokanasiga have made the matchday 23 despite recovering from respective side and knee injuries.
We have gone for Chris because he might sneak us a try early on Eddie Jones, England coach