Chris Ashton turns down Saxons

Saracens wing Chris Ashton has been reported to have turned down an offer to play for England Saxons after he was miffed with his exclusion from the England squad for the upcoming Wales game and the Australian tour.

According to a report in The Daily Telegraph, Ashton was originally named in the England Saxons squad that will be touring South Africa for a two-game series but the 29-year-old has declined the opportunity.

Ashton has scored 10 tries for Saracens ever since his return from the 10-week ban, but England coach Eddie Jones preferred having Harlequins wing Marland Yarde over him which didn’t go quite well with the Saracens star.

Meanwhile, Wasps fly-half Danny Cipriani was included in the 27-man Saxons squad which also contains six other England internationals as well.

The former Sales player was also omitted from England squad earlier with Bath pair of George Ford and Ollie Devoto preferred over him.

Exeter assistant Ali Hepher, who is in line to become the future attack coach of England senior team has been appointed as the head coach of England Saxons for the South Africa tour while he will have the services of Northampton Saints' Alex Dickens and Wasps' Andy Titterrell to assist him.