England have made no secret of their desire to erase their World Cup disappointment and, for some, the opening Six Nations game against Scotland on Saturday really will involve a fresh start. So keen is Chris Ashton, the England wing, to alter people's perceptions that he even intends to ditch his trademark swallow dive should he score a try, having come to realise it is not always in his team's best interests.
Ashton's decision sums up the increased emphasis on humility within Stuart Lancaster's England squad and underlines the player's personal determination to recapture a few hearts and minds. His recent decision to sign for Saracens next season, which led to an altercation with his Northampton director of rugby, Jim Mallinder, generated further headlines but Ashton says he has been misunderstood and is desperate to make amends.
"I am a bit disappointed with the way I've been perceived … I've taken a lot of stick," said Ashton, who has also served a four-week ban for pulling Alesana Tuilagi's hair. "That is a motivation for me, going into this first game. It's not just me, it's the whole team. England has been downgraded and as a team we have to change that. The big thing for me is people's perception of me now. At the time it's hard because you don't think you're doing anything. I know the Tuilagi incident doesn't help, but it was a complete accident."
Following complaints by the Scotland coach, Andy Robinson, about English "arrogance" at the World Cup, he intends to rein back his try-scoring celebrations, last seen against the Scots in Auckland. "The diving and that kind of thing could have been different and I probably would tone it right down. I realise now there's a time and place for that, and it's not when you're winning by 50 points.
"Sometimes in those games in the World Cup, I got carried away with the moment and what the situation was. We weren't playing too well and it probably wasn't the best time to be doing it. Maybe I got a little bit lost in not seeing it from other people's point of view: how it would look if you weren't actually out there playing. The dive was just something I did to celebrate scoring, it wasn't a case of: 'I'll do this to make some money out of it.'"
Ashton's increased self-awareness is not entirely down to a lengthy chat between himself and Lancaster, who is adamant that the culture of the England squad needs addressing. The player has been stung by accusations that he is abandoning Northampton for the bright lights of the capital, and insists he is not motivated purely by financial gain.
"It was never about that for me. I made a decision, and that's what I went with. I loved my time at Northampton, they brought me over [from rugby league] and I owe them a lot. Whatever I've managed to achieve I owe most of it to them, but I felt that maybe it was the right time to have a change."
He still hopes, nevertheless, to depart the Saints on amicable terms, despite being dropped for the game against Munster this month following a row with Mallinder. "There was a conversation between me and Jim. I wanted to play and play well, and if someone takes that away from you, it's hard to take. I don't think relations are frayed … it would be a real shame not to finish well for Northampton."
Ashton and his team-mates will continue their Six Nations preparations in Bagshot this week, before flying to Edinburgh on Thursday. A rousing welcome is guaranteed, with massed bands of pipers and home supporters being urged to dress in blue. Politicians are also getting involved, with Scotland's first minister, Alex Salmond, having sent his best wishes to the Scotland squad over the weekend.
Lancaster will finalise his starting XV on Thursday, having watched England Saxons score an encouraging 23-17 win against Ireland Wolfhounds in Exeter on Saturday. Tries from the impressive Saracens scrum-half Ben Spencer and Thomas Waldrom ensured victory for the Saxons, with Andy Saull, James Gaskell, Matt Mullan and Freddie Burns also enhancing their reputations in front of a crowd of 7,640. Leinster's David Kearney and Munster's Tomas O'Leary and Simon Zebo scored the visitors' three tries.
Waldrom was on Sunday night called into the senior squad as injury cover for Luke Narraway, who has a strained calf. Matt Banahan has also been summoned, in place of Henry Trinder (ankle).
