Winger Ashton recalled to England squad

WINGER Chris Ashton earned a recall to Eddie Jones’s England rugby union squad on Thursday for the first time since 2016.

Ashton, 31, has yet to play for England under the Australian and last represented his country in 2014. He was named in Jones’s first squad but then served lengthy bans for biting and gouging.

“Chris is an exceptional player. I think we have seen with his form at Saracens, then at Toulon, he has played exceedingly well,” Jones said as he announced a 44man pre-season training squad.

“He’s come back to England because he wants to play for England so he has got the right desire and the right attitude so it will be good to work with him.”

Ashton, who scored 19 tries in 39 tests for England, joined Sale Sharks last month after a season with French side Toulon.