Sir Clive Woodward believes England’s selection policy must change with winger Chris Ashton being the first exile who should return to the fold.
Ashton has not played for England since June 2014, when he scored one try in two appearances on the tour of New Zealand.
Having remained on the sidelines for the rest of Stuart Lancaster’s ill-fated reign, he was called up for Eddie Jones’ first Six Nations squad only to lose his place due to a 10-week ban that was widely accepted as being harsh.
Ash the splash is back 👊
Chris Ashton named in Barbarians squad.
Read more: ➡ https://t.co/5OBdRkDEDK pic.twitter.com/C6A1yciQ0M
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) May 20, 2018
He has not spoken to Jones since he swapped north London for the south of France last summer.
However, World Cup-winning coach Woodward wants Ashton back in the fold, labelling the England selection policy as ‘nonsense’.
Chris Ashton has nothing to prove – he should be in the England squad heading to SA and overseas rule is just total nonsense and devalues our whole selection policy – if you are good enough you should be selected – simple really ! https://t.co/cjdJDsqGHz
— Sir Clive Woodward (@CliveWoodward) May 24, 2018
“Chris Ashton has nothing to prove,” tweeted Woodward.
He added: “He should be in the England squad heading to SA and overseas rule is just total nonsense and devalues our whole selection policy,
“If you are good enough you should be selected – simple really!”