England will give uncapped Exeter Chiefs wing Jack Nowell his debut in Saturday's Six Nations opener against France after finally losing their patience with Chris Ashton.
Ashton has been omitted from the 26-man squad that will depart for Paris on Thursday afternoon. Nowell will start on the right wing, with Jonny May of Gloucester, who has made only one Test appearance, earmarked for the left flank. Luther Burrell is also likely to launch his England career at the Stade de France, meaning that head coach Stuart Lancaster will field a promising but untested backline against France
"We have been pleased with the form of Chris Ashton recently," Lancaster told reporters. "However, Jack Nowell has made great progress on the right wing and has also delivered in big games for Exeter.
"We feel it is the right time to look at another option in that position. Chris remains an important member of the squad and I'm sure he'll be working hard to regain that position during the course of the Six Nations."
England travel to face France in the opener on Saturday in one of their three away games during the tournament.
Matt Cotton
