Chris Ashton dropped by England

As expected, Chris Ashton has been dropped by England ahead of their Six Nations opener against France on Saturday.
Although Stuart Lancaster was quick to reassure the Saracens winger was still an important member of the squad, he pointed out the performances of youngster Jack Nowell were too hard to ignore.
The Exeter flyer, who lifted the Junior World Cup with the U20s last summer has been in superb form since the start of the season and Lancaster said it was “the right time to look at another option in that position”.
Along with Nowell, the uncapped Luther Burrell, George Ford and Anthony Watson have also been included in the 26-man squad that will travel to Paris later this week.
Lancaster said: “We have been pleased with the form of Chris Ashton recently. However, Jack Nowell has made great progress on the right wing and has also delivered in big games for Exeter Chiefs and we feel it is the right time to look at another option in that position. Chris remains an important member of the squad and I am sure he will be working hard to regain that position during the course of the Six Nations.
“Competition for places is intense and we have tough selection choices to make across the team. The young players have really impressed and based on their club form and what they have done in training with us they deserve their opportunity.
“Competition at scrum-half has been particularly tight and Danny Care’s form leading into the Six Nations has been excellent and he merits his inclusion. Ben Youngs misses out this time but he is a quality player and I am sure he will respond in the same way Danny did at the start of the year.
“We are excited about the players we are taking to Paris and what a great place to open our RBS 6 Nations campaign against a French team who will be massively motivated, especially after the last two games between us.
Meanwhile, Bath centre Kyle Eastmond will join the England Saxons squad and will be included in the 23 to face Scotland A in Glasgow on Friday.
“Kyle has been superb in training and, in the same way that Anthony Watson played for the Saxons last week, we feel that he will benefit from more senior international experience,” added Lancaster.
England squad
Forwards: David Attwood (Bath), Dan Cole (Leicester), Dylan Hartley (Northampton), Joe Launchbury (London Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Ben Morgan (Gloucester), Matt Mullan (London Wasps), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Henry Thomas (Sale), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Tom Wood (Northampton), Tom Youngs (Leicester).
Backs: Brad Barritt (Saracens), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Luther Burrell (Northampton), Danny Care (Harlequins), Lee Dickson (Northampton), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Bath) , Alex Goode (Saracens), Jonny May (Gloucester), Jack Nowell (Exeter), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester), Anthony Watson (Bath).