Chris Ashton given chance to claim World Cup place

Chris Ashton will be handed a World Cup lifeline when Stuart Lancaster names
England’s 50-man training squad at noon today.



The England head coach will finally provide an answer to the interminable
Steffon Armitage question by omitting the Toulon flanker from his World Cup
plans, while opening the door to a new generation by including Maro Itoje,
Luke Cowan-Dickie and Elliot Daly.



Sam Burgess, who spent time with England during the RBS Six Nations
Championship, will be confirmed in the squad after less than a season as a
rugby union player.



Some of the narrower selection dec…