Ashton shuns limelight

England's new man at the helm insists it is not a case of the "Brian Ashton show" as his players prepare to launch their 2007 RBS 6 Nations campaign.

Ashton, who replaced Andy Robinson five days before Christmas, made an immediate impression by announcing a Six Nations squad containing uncapped talent such as Andy Farrell, Shane Geraghty and Dan Ward-Smith, and is now building towards his first Test team announcement, scheduled for Monday.

"It is not the Brian Ashton show or it is not about Brian Ashton's vision - it is about the players playing the rugby they want to play," he said. "If everyone is fit, we have players with a wide enough set of skills to produce any kind of rugby demanded of them on a given day."

Rugby league import Farrell is thought to be pencilled in for England's inside centre role against Scotland, with 2003 World Cup winner Mike Tindall his likely midfield partner.

Ashton added: "I would have no concerns over playing Andy Farrell against Scotland, even if he doesn't play for Saracens this weekend.

"I have been watching Andy Farrell play since he was 17 with Wigan. I know exactly what he is capable of.

"He has only had a handful of games in rugby union but, in terms of what I am looking for in an inside back, he has been playing like that all his life in rugby league."