Pressure: Chris Ashton
England coach Stuart Lancaster believes that Chris Ashton still warrants selection despite being criticised for a lack of form.
Ashton was one of England's try scorers in the opening Six Nations match against Scotland, but has since struggled to cross the whitewash.
Having racked up 15 tries in his first 18 Tests, the Saracens winger now only has two in his last 16 appearances.
"I don't think Chris has been given any special favours," said Lancaster.
"I don't buy the fact that he is badly out of form. No player had an error-free game on Sunday. Chris did what Chris does well and got into a position where a tip-on pass from Mike Brown would have seen him in under the posts.
"Most wingers would not get themselves in positions to do those things. He didn't quite get across the line but sometimes it is not his fault.
"We certainly did dip in effectiveness at the weekend but we did create opportunities. Finishing is the issue."
Comments
melkdave says...
Wow alot of posts on this thread,Ashton parsee isnt really out of form,but England are struggling a trifel to get the ball to him,in worthwhile postions..Thats the main problem,just how many balls have just gone behind him,or are a tad to high ect .If he gats the ball with a bit of space ,9 times out of 10 he will score.At the moment his just a little frustrated,because he knows just how close he has been,but the final pass has been a trifel lacking in most cases.
Posted 13:37 13th March 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Most of the tries I've seen Varndell finishing could have been finished by any premiership winger. Whereas Wades are conjured from nothing. @jhammer: nonsense: even the media have been jumping on this "bash the Ash" sheepish behaviour. Lancaster has spotted Ashton is not the key issue. Its composure in scoring positions. He made 5 changes last time. Bring Youngs and Farrell back and that's enough change.
Posted 09:17 13th March 2013
jamesliveinhope says...
Tom Varndell is given the ball a lot, Ashton gets the ball a lot, subtle difference but a major one if, as a head coach, you are trying to build a team around a structure of play and playing at Test level not club level.
On Sunday, I felt England took to the field looking for a try each and it took the first half to get themselves straight. Care and Flood seemed guilty of trying too hard and it might be considered that one of them was a change too many as their partnership wasn't working.
Ashton's best try scoring form in an England shirt came when he was playing outside (and tracking) players like Tindall and Hape who were making holes for him to run through. Since Tuilagi has been regularly selected, his position has become more orthodox as a winger which has meant that he just doesn't get the ball as much as he used to.
Varndell has been consistently one of the premiership top try scorers for years, strange then that Andy Robinson, Brian Ashton, Johnno and now Lancaster have not felt the need to select him. I suspect its because he can be flaky which makes him inconsistent, running in 2 against London Welsh or London Irish is not the same as a 2 against Tigers or Sarries. Shouldn't also forget that "premiership top scorer" is much easier to achieve if you haven't got 6 fixtures to miss through international call-up.
Not a fan of Ashton but lets stop this Varndell nonsense before someone in the England set-up starts taking it seriously.
Posted 08:25 13th March 2013
Fonzarelli says...
@ Warrior7, Wade isn't just fast, he's illusive. He as an awesome step, runs with the ball in two hands, and thus is excellent at running the ball back when teams kick and don't make touch.
Posted 22:47 12th March 2013
Jhamer25 says...
Well he is far from in form.
Yet agian the media hyping over a player who isn't even that good when on form.
He scores one good try agisnt australia and then he is the best wing in the world. He can't even tackle full stop.
Stuart you are a great coach the way you have improved the english team since the world cup but you have go to drop him for your teams sake.
But i'm welsh so please keep him there so george and alex can run over him :) Would be much appreciated to see that smug cocky look smashed of his face.
We haven't seen it since tuilagi literally wiped it off his face, it's been too long.
Posted 20:05 12th March 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Looking forward to Ash putting all this criticism to bed. He ran a great line and only a last ditch tackle stopped him making the line. Goode is starving his wingers. Foden or Brown are needed to ignite the likes of Ashton. Ash has not been his best but I thought he was better vs Italy. Sharples I think would have scored both Ashton and Browns near opportunities as both needed a little extra pace.
Posted 19:31 12th March 2013
NHsaints says...
Maybe he needs time out? But more likely than not there is a simpler explanation - Ashton thrives on 2 things: A fantastic counter attacking fullback (3 names spring to mind in Foden, Brown and Abendanon) which he doesn't have with Goode and the rest of the team playing well and making breaks or creating room around the rucks on attack which we've not done since...oh yeh...Scotland. And we didn't do that in the Autumn internationals...bar against New Zealand...oh wow. There appears to be some sort of pattern here...the problem isn't that Ashton is out of form, it's that he doesn't slot into this team and team tactic well at all.
Posted 19:20 12th March 2013
papachinzo says...
Hes right, Ashton is not out of form: He's always been that bad!!
Posted 18:06 12th March 2013
Isograford says...
Too much time spent perfecting his pompous dive maybe.
Posted 18:00 12th March 2013
Warrior7 says...
In terms of specialist wingers:
Ashton - not scoring
May - Awful defence, see the bath game a couple of weeks ago
Wade - Lots of pace but defensive positioning is bad
Benjamin - Injured but otherwise might be a good shout. Not the quickest since a broken leg a couple of seasons ago, but before he left Wuss he was still running over fullbacks for fun, and makes some huge hits in defence.
Strettle - Not great
Why havent England ever looked at Garvey? I know he now plays for Castres, but when he played for us (Worcester) he was fantastic especially when Phil larder joined as his defence improved substantially. Very quick, decent footballer and good finisher.
Biggs - A better pick but in the england saxons games I've seen him in he has gone missing, but plays well for Bath
Posted 16:40 12th March 2013
Spartacus says...
Like a lot of people, I dont rate Ashton, BUT I think Lancaster has earned the right to be trusted on his instincts. Hope England win, and by a narrow score (because Wales like losing valiantly by a small margin).
Posted 16:10 12th March 2013
pierredelot1 says...
Well maybe last Saturday wasn't the best day to judge him. Starting with Flood the England backs hardly managed a pass at the right time and the right place all afternoon. But the guy certainly hasn't shone this season. Maybe the others have worked him out. His petulance is also a bit wearing. Can't see Lancaster looking for someone smaller for Saturdays joust though, the Welsh wings both pack a bit of meat. Should give us an idea if he really is worth his place.
Posted 14:16 12th March 2013
connaughtabu says...
No, Ashton is not out of form - as my Kiwi friends might say "He's just no bloody good, mate!"
:-))
Posted 13:58 12th March 2013
Propmelsey says...
YEP!!! ... Reading that has convinced me ..... £20 on Ashton to score the first & last tries in Cardiff .... Money in the bank!! :) x
Posted 13:54 12th March 2013
lawynd says...
I think what puzzles me most, on reflection, is the number of Saracens players in the backs division. I don't mean any slight on the actual individuals because I do rate some of them (Farrell, and Barritt has won me over), but they play week in, week out, for a rigid, undaventurous and forwards-based team with a defensive mindset. They don't top any meaningful attacking stats, least of all tries scored - Leicester, Quins, Exeter and Wasps lead the way here - and Ashton is currently one of the least productive wingers in the league. Strettle is joint sixth, with Varndell, Wade, Thompstone and Elliott all ahead of him (David Lemi too, but he's obviously not English).
As far as I'm aware, Farrell is the defence coach, Catt is the attack/backs coach, so it shouldn't be a result of nepotism. Why then are we Saracens-heavy at the back? I know this has been said several times now, but I sincerely hope we see new talent in the backs, particularly the back three, in Argentina. May, Wade, Biggs and Daly have all put in fantastic performances this season and deserve a shot at making the grade and players like Thompstone and Benjamin (when he's fit) will hopefully be part of the chasing pack.
Yes, I realise I missed of Varndell - he's simply a faster Ashton, in my opinion.
Posted 13:41 12th March 2013
heart_of_oak says...
Centre12 - my thoughts entirely. Fonzarelli - agreed (or hear hear, as APV would say). Lawynd - you are right as usual but we won't mention Waldrom, ok ?
SSSnake - you're Welsh, right ? Guscott has predicted a Wales win so you've just had the kiss of death put on you sunshine.
Posted 13:26 12th March 2013
ironmanI441 says...
Not sure how many times this can be reiterated before it sticks with people. Stuart Lancaster does not want to bring in new blood which is in fact old in age. I know Varndell is really that old but he is going to be 28 in September meaning 30 at RWC. I know he could definitely still cut the mustard at 30, but I am just saying stop suggesting Varndell. SL has repeatedly said he is looking to youth to blend together for the RWC. Established players like Croft he may keep but he won't bring in Varndell, I guarantee. However I do agree that Wade and Kyle Eastmond need to be brough in. Both are blazingly fast with tricky feet and Eastmond can play nearly anywhere.
Posted 13:01 12th March 2013
heathy says...
I agree with some of these posts and I am not an advocate of Chris Ashton, especially when he doesn't appear to be 'on his game'. However, when he is on his game then he is a good finisher and a hard working winger. We just need to see him hunting more and popping up on players shoulders. In fairness, SL will not start to publically question players at this stage nor make too many changes to this side. It will be the same starting XV that played Italy bar possibly Farrell coming back in and maybe Youngs at scrum half. SL is also saying the 'right' things as he will not start any nonsense before a Grand Slam opportunity. England on the whole are playing rugby and doing all that is needed bar finishing off scoring opportunities. We need to tinker NOT make wholesale changes and throw the baby out with the bathwater. It won't happen. England have been playing better rugby than all the other 6 Nations sides. We need to keep our heads and play sensible rugby in a calm and controlled manner. Wales, who have not been that impressive at all, need to win the game and so need to make all the running. We need to keep cool, soak up the pressure (as we are well capable of doing as our defence has been good) and play our rugby. It will be the occasion that will run away with England, if anything. This is where we need to show we have moved on. It doesn't have to be pretty. It just needs to be a win. A loss by less than 7 points won't cut it for me. We have been the better side all tournament and all things being equal, should win this comfortably on 'current' form. Hold ourselves together and play our normal game and we will be fine. The changes from that which need to be ironed out is the finish. Get that right and Wales will struggle.
Posted 12:26 12th March 2013
Bones7 says...
I agree with lawynd, he's a defensive liability and anonymous in attack. With Barritt and Tuilagi in the middle England are in desperate need of a cutting edge out wide which Ashton and Goode don't provide. He drops off tackles, leaves a gap on the outside he's not quick enough to cover and never looks like beating a defender one on one. Chuck in Wade or Benjamin or May and see how they fare.
Posted 12:20 12th March 2013
Sssnake says...
Please, please, please pick Ashton. And Lawes too, preferably at blindside flanker
Posted 12:10 12th March 2013