ASHTON DEFENDS SIX NATIONS 32-MAN SQUAD
England Head Coach Brian Ashton MBE has defended the controversial decisions he made in his Six Nations 32-man training squad. The man who took England to the World Cup Final in France, where they lost 15-6 to South Africa, included a number of young players, and cross-code winger Lesley Vainikolo, who only began his union career three months ago.
Ashton, 61, insists that the Gloucester powerhouse, who scored a record five tries on his debut against Leeds Carnegie on September 15, will be a star for the Red Rose.
The former Ireland and Bath backs coach said of 28-year-old Tongan-born Vainikolo: "There is a bit of a wow factor with him and his transition to the union game has been fairly straight forward.
"I first saw Lesley playing five years ago when he was playing rugby league and he had the 'wow' factor then.
"He also has an X-factor. You do not see many England wingers who are 6ft 2" and 18 stone.
"He's powerful, explosive, he's a good footballer and he has not been caught out defensively from a union point of view.
"He doesn't look like a rugby league player playing union - some of the areas of the game you might think he would struggle in he hasn't.
"But it is not a new game to him. He played rugby union as a young man.
"He is already the Guinness Premiership's top try scorer. He is incredibly strong and explosive; got good footwork and is a threat all over the field."
A number of World Cup players were culled - including 31-year-old winger / full-back Josh Lewsey; 32-year-old centre Andy Farrell; and fly-half / centre Olly Barkley, 26 - but Ashton insisted they would have another chance to represent their country.
Four former England captains - Jason Robinson, Mike Catt, Lawrence Dallaglio and Martin Corry - have recently stepped down from the international scene. But of the other older players dropped, Ashton said: "The door is not closed on anyone apart from those who have retired."
He also justified his decision to retain prop Phil Vickery, 31, as captain. "When we spent the year together last year Phil stood by me and I've stood by him by keeping him captain," he added.
"We need some continuity and stability over the next six months, and Phil is the ideal guy for that.
"The Six Nations is always a difficult tournament because it is unpredictable. I imagine that this season will be no different."
England Head Coach Brian Ashton MBE has defended the controversial decisions he made in his Six Nations 32-man training squad. The man who took England to the World Cup Final in France, where they lost 15-6 to South Africa, included a number of young players, and cross-code winger Lesley Vainikolo, who only began his union career three months ago.
Ashton, 61, insists that the Gloucester powerhouse, who scored a record five tries on his debut against Leeds Carnegie on September 15, will be a star for the Red Rose.
The former Ireland and Bath backs coach said of 28-year-old Tongan-born Vainikolo: "There is a bit of a wow factor with him and his transition to the union game has been fairly straight forward.
"I first saw Lesley playing five years ago when he was playing rugby league and he had the 'wow' factor then.
"He also has an X-factor. You do not see many England wingers who are 6ft 2" and 18 stone.
"He's powerful, explosive, he's a good footballer and he has not been caught out defensively from a union point of view.
"He doesn't look like a rugby league player playing union - some of the areas of the game you might think he would struggle in he hasn't.
"But it is not a new game to him. He played rugby union as a young man.
"He is already the Guinness Premiership's top try scorer. He is incredibly strong and explosive; got good footwork and is a threat all over the field."
A number of World Cup players were culled - including 31-year-old winger / full-back Josh Lewsey; 32-year-old centre Andy Farrell; and fly-half / centre Olly Barkley, 26 - but Ashton insisted they would have another chance to represent their country.
Four former England captains - Jason Robinson, Mike Catt, Lawrence Dallaglio and Martin Corry - have recently stepped down from the international scene. But of the other older players dropped, Ashton said: "The door is not closed on anyone apart from those who have retired."
He also justified his decision to retain prop Phil Vickery, 31, as captain. "When we spent the year together last year Phil stood by me and I've stood by him by keeping him captain," he added.
"We need some continuity and stability over the next six months, and Phil is the ideal guy for that.
"The Six Nations is always a difficult tournament because it is unpredictable. I imagine that this season will be no different."
