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Chris Ashton believes England may have dumped him on eve of World Cup

Chris Ashton of England (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)

England flyer Chris Ashton believes that he will not be selected for the Rugby World Cup despite being part of the Eddie Jones Six Nations’ training squad.

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The Sale Sharks wing says he has had no communication with England ahead of the announcement of the the wider 45-man World Cup training squad, which is set to be revealed in coming weeks.

This time last year Ashton appeared for the Barbarians against England at Twickenham, where he scored three tries, effectively forcing his way back into England reckoning.

However, the Wigan born wing/fullback says he thinks Eddie Jones is set to leave him out of his World Cup plans. Speaking on The Rugby Pod, Ashton said he is not expecting a call up, despite his good form in the Premiership.

“I don’t think I am (involved),” Ashton said, when asked regarding his inclusion in the training squad. “Honestly, I’ve not had a word.”

“He’s been meeting other lads. It may not be happening. It would be a big fall, from the starting fifteen to out of the 45. I don’t know how I’ve done it but I think I have. We’ll see.”

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Ashton also said that he was at loss at why he had not been selected by England in the past, and suggested it was a case of coaches not liking his personality. He spoke about how it “still bothered” him how his England career under Stuart Lancaster had ended and also revealed that he held a private meeting with Jones in 2018 in order to try to get to know him better.

“I went down to Pennyhill (Park Hotel) once to meet him (Eddie Jones). I thought surely if he meets me it would be different, as I was sure he maybe heard of me or had an opinion of me before we had even met.

“I thought maybe that would help. It didn’t help!”

“It was me that organised it. I just wanted to ask him what I need to do. I want to met and say ‘this is who I am’. Show him the kind of person I am and what I want to do in rugby – a bit of an ice breaker. I’d never been into the camp before so I had never met him.

“It was a case of me covering every option. When I did get into the camp I got on with him really well.”

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B
BeamMeUp 42 minutes ago
The Springboks have something you don't have

A few comments. Firstly, I am a Bok fan and it's been a golden period for us. I hope my fellow Bok fans appreciate this time and know that it cannot last forever, so soak it all in!


The other thing to mention (and this is targeted at Welsh, English and even Aussie supporters who might be feeling somewhat dejected) is that it's easy to forget that just before Rassie Erasmus took over in 2018, the Boks were ranked 7th in the world and I had given up hope we'd ever be world beaters again.


Sport is a fickle thing and Rassie and his team have managed to get right whatever little things it takes to make a mediocre team great. I initially worried his methods might be short-lived (how many times can you raise a person's commitment by talking about his family and his love of his country as a motivator), but he seems to have found a way. After winning in 2019 on what was a very simple game plan, he has taken things up ever year - amazing work which has to be applauded! (Dankie Rassie! Ons wardeer wat jy vir die ondersteuners en die land doen!) (Google translate if you don't understand Afrikaans! 😁)


I don't think people outside South Africa fully comprehend the enormity of the impact seeing black and white, English, Afrikaans and Xhosa and all the other hues playing together does for the country's sense of unity. It's pure joy and happiness.


This autumn tour has been a bit frustrating in that the Boks have won, but never all that convincingly. On the one hand, I'd like to have seen more decisive victories, BUT what Rassie has done is expose a huge number of players to test rugby, whilst also diversifying the way the Boks play (Tony Brown's influence).


This change of both style and personnel has resulted in a lack of cohesion at times and we've lost some of the control, whereas had we been playing our more traditional style, that wouldn't happen. This is partially attributable to the fact that you cannot play Tony Brown's expansive game whilst also having 3 players available at every contact point to clear the defence off the ball. I have enjoyed seeing the Boks play a more exciting, less attritional game, which is a boring, albeit effective spectacle. So, I am happy to be patient, because the end justifies the means (and I trust Rassie!). Hopefully all these players we are blooding will give us incredible options for substitutions come next year's Rugby Championship and of course, the big prize in 2027.


Last point! The game of rugby has never been as exciting as it is now. Any of Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Argentina, Scotland, England & Australia can beat one another. South Africa may be ranked #1, but I wouldn't bet my house in them beating France or New Zealand, and we saw Argentina beating both South Africa and New Zealand this year! That's wonderful for the game and makes the victories we do get all the sweeter. Each win is 100% earned. Long may it last!


Sorry for the long post! 🏉🌍

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