Ashton is ready this time for the next step up in Paris

After switching codes from Wigan in 2007, the Northampton winger scored a record-breaking 39 tries as the Saints marched back into the Guinness Premiership.

The former England rugby league star struggled to cope with the step up and began to doubt he would make the grade.

But Northampton coach Paul Grayson had faith and Ashton has roared back into form with 19 tries in 25 matches for the Saints this season.

"I didn't think I would get this chance," said Ashton, who has come into the England team for injured Harlequins winger Ugo Monye.

"Last year I was a bit lost in everything. I had been playing in Division One and I couldn't stop myself scoring tries.

"I stepped up into the Premiership and was expecting to hit the ground running but that didn't happen. There was a lot of pressure and I hit the floor.

"It shocked me a bit and knocked me back. At one point I was quite serious (about moving back to rugby league). We had a few friendlies at the start of this season and I still wasn't getting picked. I thought there was no way back.

"For someone who expects a lot from themselves it was frustrating but Grayson always said 'stick with it, your chance will come'.

"Thinking back to it now, it probably couldn't have worked out any better for me. I had the time to actually figure out this rugby union game and make it work."

The 22-year-old's England rugby league debut was also against France, at Headingley in the 2006 Federation Shield, but in very different circumstances.

France are minnows in rugby league. Tomorrow night, Les Bleus will attempt to be crowned champions of Europe and complete a ninth grand slam.

Ashton believes he is ready for the step up, having received the ideal grounding in Northampton's Heineken Cup encounters with European powers Munster and Perpignan.

"That will definitely help me this weekend," he said.

Ashton will have a familiar face alongside him in Ben Foden, the Saints full-back who will be making his first Test start.

"Hopefully, we can bring to England what we provide for Northampton and that will hopefully create some tries," added Ashton.