When Chris Ashton told Eddie Jones he was not going to tour with England Saxons last summer, it was assumed by many his international career was over.

Even after returning from a 10-week ban by scoring eight tries in 11 games as Saracens claimed a European and Aviva Premiership double, Ashton was omitted from the senior squad to tour Australia. He said he was not in the right frame of mind to be considered for the second string.

While Jones insisted the decision would not count against him, it was hard to see the prolific winger adding to his 39 England caps on the Australian's watch.

Chris Ashton believes he can get back into Eddie Jones' England reckoning

Ashton has scored 19 tries for England, and he'd like to get the chance at more

That view hardly improved when the 29-year-old was not among the 45 players recently named in Jones's provisional Elite Player Squad.

But it appears he has been handed a lifeline following clear-the-air talks with Jones at England's Pennyhill Park base and the former Wigan Warrior will begin the season with fresh belief he could still add to his 19-try international tally.

'Obviously I was very disappointed not to go to Australia,' Ashton told Sportsmail. 'I would have loved to go. I had hoped I'd done enough and it was upsetting not to be included. I went to see Eddie last week and understand where he is coming from a bit more now. It was good to catch up. He didn't have to meet me. We hardly spoke about rugby but he did tell me to carry on working on my defence and if that gets to where he wants it to be, then I'll get my shot again.

Ashton scored eight tries in 11 games after returning from a ban to lead Saracens to a double

'Not touring with the Saxons was more a mindset thing. There were a lot of lads going on that first tour and I didn't want to be in the wrong frame of mind after what had happened during the season and wanting to go on the full tour.

'I thought it would be good for me to get away and have a holiday. I was honest with Eddie and he said he admired my honesty and was happy enough.

'He made it clear he understood my reasons for not going on the tour. I wanted a clear shot and a clear start. My wife was pregnant and having quite a rough time and I wanted to be there just in case anything happened there. Eddie was fully supportive of those reasons and he said that to me when he we met.'

Now the proud father of a baby girl after his wife Melissa gave birth to Ava, Ashton appears more settled than at any time in four years since moving to Saracens from Northampton Saints.

Ashton hopes to play a vital part in Saracens' title defence this season

But while more club success is a motivator, he cannot hide his desire to return to the international game after making his last appearance under Stuart Lancaster in 2014.

He added: 'The main reason I came to rugby union (from league in 2007) was to play for England and that has never changed. I probably want it now more than ever. I'm desperate to play again. Especially when so many lads from here are playing.

'It would be nice to play with them on the international stage and have another go at it. It's been a little while now. But I'd like to see if my game has improved and if I can still compete at that level. One hundred per cent I still feel I can. I believe I'm a better player.'

'The main reason I came to rugby union was to play for England,' says Ashton

His chance would probably have come during last season's Six Nations after Jones named him in the squad, but a 10-week ban for making contact with Ulster centre Luke Marshall's eyes set him back. He returned from the ban in style, only to be snubbed for the Australia tour.

Last week's extraordinary decision not to punish New Zealand prop Owen Franks for what appeared to be a far more blatant gouge on Australia's Kane Douglas only adds to a sense of injustice. 'I have no idea why I was banned for so long,' Ashton said. 'It was bizarre. I try not to think about it, although clearly it halted my chance to get back in having a good go with England. Missing that opportunity annoys me the most. It's one man's opinion when you go to these hearings. It could go either way.