Lancaster might drop Ashton

First topic message reminder :

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/feb/25/chris-ashton-england-six-nations


All problems are relative when you sit unbeaten on top of the Six Nations championship table with an opportunity to win a first grand slam since 2003. England have duly confirmed a settled 31-man training squad for next week's Italy fixture, but there is still room for improvement in certain areas. Chris Ashton's modest form, for example, has yet to cost his country dear but is an increasing issue for his coaches.

All players at all levels have the occasional off-day but Wesley Fofana's try for France on Saturday concentrated attention on Ashton's less-than-watertight defence. The Saracens wing was not the sole culprit but opposing teams are starting to sniff a technical weakness. Against Wales' big wings, George North and Alex Cuthbert, it could prove a serious headache.

Ashton is as frustrated as anybody judging by the petulant way in which he threw the ball at Benjamin Fall in the closing moments of England's 23-13 victory. He has had some wonderful days in a white jersey, with 17 tries in 32 Tests to prove it, but that old swagger is only fleetingly apparent. He ran with the ball on nine occasions against the French and made a grand total of 30 metres; against Scotland he carried it 12 times and made 19 metres.

He blitzed on Orquera's drop, no overlap should have marked his winger and he also got narrow on Maclean on various occassions. Keep him please!