Ashton left out as England cut squad

England winger Chris Ashton has been dropped from the nation’s pre-World Cup training squad.

Ashton, who has scored 19 tries for England in 39 appearances, was the biggest name of seven players that head coach Stuart Lancaster was forced to leave out.

He said; “The competition for places has been very intense,” before telling the dropped players; “the door is not closed by any means.

“They are only an injury away and there is a lot of international rugby to be played this season, culminating in a three-Test tour to Australia.

“Overall we are in good shape. Both Nick Easter and Ben Morgan are now fit and we want to give them both opportunities to train fully and prove their form and fitness next week.”

Fellow wingers Marland Yarde and Semesa Rokoduguni have also missed out, whilst scrum-half Lee Dickson and centre Kyle Eastmond have faced the same outcome.

The other two players to be dropped from Lancaster’s squad are prop Matt Mullan and flanker Matt Kvesic.

But on the plus side, Sam Burgess, who has converted from Rugby League, and fly half’s Danny Cipriani, George Ford and Owen Farrell.

England, who begin their World Cup warm up against France at Twickenham next Saturday, have cut their squad to 39, and will announce their 31 man squad by the end of the month, before playing their opening World Cup match against Fiji at Twickenham.