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England set to overlook Ashton
ESPN Staff
October 22, 2014
Chris Ashton scored against New Zealand in June for England © Getty Images
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Chris Ashton is expected to be left out of England's squad for the autumn internationals when Stuart Lancaster unveils the group on Wednesday.

Bath's Semesa Rokoduguni has been given the nod ahead of Ashton while there is set to be no place in the squad for Danny Cipriani, Freddie Burns or Billy Twelvetrees. Uncapped Northampton flanker Calum Clark, Saracens' Brad Barritt and Bath's Jonathan Joseph are expected to be named by Lancaster with the latter replacing the injured Manu Tuilagi.

Rokoduguni's inclusion is testament to his rapid rise in stature. Since joining Bath in 2012, Fijian-born Rokoduguni, who is still with the Scots Dragoon Guards, has garnered a reputation for eye-catching breaks from his own 22 and lethal finishing. He currently has four tries this season and shone in Bath's 45-0 demolition of Leicester.

"He is a freestyle, free spirit rugby player and that is what makes him exciting," Bath coach Mike Ford said of Rokoduguni. "He has been exceptional this year. I have spoken to Stuart about his strengths and potential weaknesses but let's talk about what he can do, not what he can't do."

For Ashton he now finds himself fifth in the England wing pecking order behind Exeter's Jack Nowell, Gloucester's Jonny May, Harlequins' Marland Yarde and Rokoduguni. He will now have to rely on injuries to any one of those quartet if he is to force his way back into the reckoning.

Ashton started his England career brightly scoring nine in nine Tests but he later endured a barren spell where he went 11 games without scoring. His last action for England came on their tour of New Zealand in June where he came off the bench in the second Test and scored and then started a week later.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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