ASHTON GIVES ‘MASSIVE BOOST’ TO JONES’ SQUAD

CHRIS ASHTON has given England’s World Cup hopes a “massive” boost by taking a pay cut to make himself available to Eddie Jones.

That is the verdict of Paul Sackey, England’s top try scorer in the last Red Rose team to go all the way to the final.

By negotiating an early release from Toulon and joining Sale, Ashton, 31, (above) instantly becomes eligible to reignite his England career.

And Sackey insists Jones should waste no time in bringing him in from the cold – four years after the most recent of his 39 caps.

“Chris becoming available gives England a massive, massive boost and he has to be straight in the squad,” said the star of the 2007 World Cup in France.

“On current form, he’s the best winger in Europe.

“He’s just come off a record-breaking season for Toulon – and having him back is a win-win for Eddie. Chris sniffs out tries like nobody else.”