SIX NATIONS 2014: Ashton axed! England coach Lancaster picks kid Nowell for Le Crunch... and Youngs misses out too



Chris Ashton has been dropped from the start of England’s RBS 6 Nations campaign in France on Saturday.

As exclusively revealed by Sportsmail, Stuart Lancaster and his coaching staff have finally run out of patience with Saracens’ cross code wing and Ashton, alongside British and Irish Lions scrum-half Ben Youngs, has been omitted from a 26-man squad that will travel to Paris on Thursday night.

'We have been pleased with the form of Chris Ashton recently,' Lancaster said. 'However, Jack Nowell has made great progress on the right wing and has also delivered in big games for Exeter.

'We feel it is the right time to look at another option in that position.

WATCH Scroll down to witness Danny Care's excitement at being back in the England fold



Dropped: Chris Ashton (centre) in training with England's squad ahead of the Six Nations

Nosedive: Ashton's England career hit the rocks after a breathtaking start in the Red Rose jersey

It's splash to crash for Ash!

CLICK HERE to read Chris Foy's verdict on where it all went wrong for England's wing



'Chris remains an important member of the squad and I'm sure he'll be working hard to regain that position during the course of the Six Nations.'



The 26-year-old endured a torrid autumn series as his drawn-out quest to revive his predatory peak form at Test level continued without success, during matches against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand.

He only survived a selection cut at that stage because rookie rivals Marland Yarde and Christian Wade both succumbed to injury, forcing head coach Lancaster to persist with the struggling former Wigan rugby league player.



But now his place will be taken by another tyro wing with considerable potential – Exeter’s Jack Nowell.



The 20-year-old was a try-scorer when England's Under 20 team beat Wales in the final of the junior World Cup last summer, to claim the title for the first time.

Making his name: Ashton burst onto the England scene with his wonder try against Australia in 2010

Swan dive: Ashton's trademark try-scoring celebration has been seen less and less in recent years

Nowell has yet to score a Premiership try this season but he also put in eye-catching performances in the Heineken Cup ties against Toulon last month.

Ashton, a 23-year-old Northampton player at the time, made an explosive impact with England, scoring a length of the field try against Australia at Twickenham in 2010.



New kid on the block: Jack Nowell, the 20-year-old Exeter back, took Ashton's place on the England wing

Finished: Ashton scores a try for Saracens against Connacht in the Heineken Cup

In the following year's RBS 6 Nations he scored six tries in the first two games against Wales and Italy as his swallow-dive finishing routine became a major talking point which extended far beyond the sport.

Sadly, within 12 months he had begun a long fall to earth, one which has accelerated during Stuart Lancaster’s two years as head coach. He has now paid the price.