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Chris Ashton believes England may have dumped him on eve of World Cup
By Ian Cameron
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.
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."
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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With France sending a slightly under strength team, having the Boks twice at home and Ireland in the USA rather than at the Aviva, its not inconceivable the ABs could go Undefeated in 2025. The schedule is more favourable than 2024 and they will improve. It's a huge ask, but it's not completely out of the question.
Go to commentsAgreed. He hasn’t transferred the dominance of one level to the next. He will be a weapon when he does though.
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