Aviva Premiership
Chris Ashton targets England recall under Eddie Jones
PA Sport
November 30, 2015
© (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images)

Chris Ashton is attempting to revive his England career knowing the desire to end his international exile is as strong as ever.

It has been 18 months since the Saracens wing won the last of his 39 caps but the arrival of new head coach Eddie Jones - who officially starts work at Twickenham on Tuesday - has brought renewed hope for the nation's deadliest finisher. Jones insists every player starts with a clean slate, offering a possible end to Ashton's absence from the Test arena after the previous England management had wearied of his defensive lapses.

Two tries in Saturday's 48-18 Aviva Premiership victory over Worcester at Twickenham has supplied Jones with evidence that he remains a force.

"I like the fight of it. The day I don't look at myself and think I don't want to get into England or I am not bothered by England or Saracens is probably the day that I will retire," Ashton said. "I want to fight to be the best player in my team, or in my position, and that is something I hope will always burn inside me. I want to get back into the England team and I hope that will never stop.

"I'm 28 and I would like to think I'm in and around my best body wise - I'm in a very good place and I've been really happy with how I have played this season and so have the coaches. I have had experience of good and bad ends of involvement with England - not making cuts and things like that - but it is something you can't dwell on too much.

"The important thing for me is Saracens and if Eddie thinks I'm the right man for the job then so be it. If not I just want to carry on playing well here.

"You don't know what Eddie is looking for in a wing. Nobody knows what he is thinking, but I hope these two tries have helped."

© PA Sport

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