England team manager Martin Johnson makes six changes in all to the side held to a 15-15 draw by Scotland last weekend.
Ben Foden, Ashton's teammate at Franklin's Gardens, makes his first start at full back; Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers) takes over from Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon) at fly half; and Mike Tindall (Gloucester Rugby) returns in place of Mathew Tait (Sale Sharks) to win his 61st cap.
There are two changes in the forwards with Simon Shaw (London Wasps) fit to take over from Louis Deacon (Leicester Tigers) in the second row and Lewis Moody (Leicester Tigers) returning in the back row with Joe Worsley (London Wasps) moving to blind side and James Haskell (Stade Francais) on the bench.
The implications for both Gloucester and Northampton are obvious with Sunday's LV= Cup Final in mind. However, it could have been worse for the Saints as Courtney Lawes has been released to play for his club.
England Team
15 Ben Foden (Northampton Saints)
14 Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks)
13 Mike Tindall (Gloucester Rugby)
12 Riki Flutey (CA Brive)
11 Chris Ashton (Northampton Saints)
10 Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers)
9 Danny Care (Harlequins)
1 Tim Payne (London Wasps)
2 Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
3 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
4 Simon Shaw (London Wasps)
5 Steve Borthwick (Saracens, captain)
6 Joe Worsley (London Wasps)
7 Lewis Moody (Leicester Tigers)
8 Nick Easter (Harlequins)
REPLACEMENTS
16 Steve Thompson (CA Brive)
17 David Wilson (Bath Rugby)
18 Louis Deacon (Leicester Tigers
19 James Haskell (Stade Francais)
20 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
21 Jonny Wilkinson (RC Toulon)
22 Mathew Tait (Sale Sharks)
