England Chris Ashton in League of his own, England V New Zealand

England Chris Ashton in League of his own, England V New Zealand

England wing Chris Ashton has thanked rugby league for helping make him a union star.

Ashton plays his 36th and final game of a remarkable campaign today when he lines up against the New Zealand Maori in Napier.

He reappears just four days after scoring his 25th try of the season in England's breakthrough win over Australia.

No other member of Martin Johnson's Test XV has been asked to start what is the last match of this Australasian tour.

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But Ashton, who went from union struggler contemplating a league return to Premiership player of the season in the space of five months, is no ordinary player.

And having paid tribute to Northampton coach and World Cup winner Paul Grayson for helping his transformation, he yesterday paid his dues to rugby league.

"My try against Australia came from being in the right place at the right time," said the Saints wing, who made his name in league with Wigan.

"I do like to hang around at the back of rucks and wait for a little gap to open up. It's something I have taken from rugby league - waiting for someone to make a break and then getting on the end of it."

Yet after scoring 30 tries in 52 games for Wigan he took the plunge and switched codes when signing for Grayson at Franklin's Gardens.

Within three years he was in the England team and in the space of three appearances he has become one of the squad's biggest characters.

"At Saints he's also always up to no good, always pranking around, making mischief," said Northampton coach Dorian West.

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"But he's a real good personality to have around, as it seems England are discovering."

It was due, in no small part, to the threat Ashton poses with ball in hand that England caught out Australia by switching their tactics between the first and second Test.

England scrummaged the Wallabies into the ground in Perth - while Ashton and his fellow backs kicked their heels in frustration.

But a week on they unleashed their strike runners, resulting in tries by Ashton and Ben Youngs from sniping solo runs.

"We said we were just going to run it, that's what we did and it made a complete difference," Ashton said. "I don't know if we are starting to gel together now, but it felt very different on the pitch."

England's midweek team are unbeaten after a draw and a win in two matches against the Australian Barbarians. Corporate Hospitality Group provide England V New Zealand Hospitality with best price.

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