Six Nations 2014: England to start with two debutants and no Chris Ashton in new backline against France Nowell and May appear to have made a telling impression since joining the camp last week, and Lancaster puts great store on how his players react in training. "If I feel they are ready, I will pick them," said Lancaster on Monday. Ashton, 26, had been due to be dropped from the squad last autumn before injuries to Christian Wade and Marland Yarde handed him a reprieve for the QBE Internationals against Argentina and New Zealand. His form has improved significantly over the last two months - his is the leading try-scorer in the Heineken Cup this season with seven tries and he scored twice against Leicester in a Premiership match in December - and it appears the door may remain open for him to feature later in the championship. "He's reacted well," said Lancaster. There are still areas of his game that he's working on, but his form since the autumn has been good. In terms of tracking the ball and getting on the end of things, he's still the best. Ashton's omission comes three years after he emerged as one of the hottest properties in world rugby by scoring six tries in the opening two games against Wales and Italy, following his wonder try against Australia in the previous November. His stunning entrance to the international stage was accompanied by his controversial "Ash Splash" swallow dive celebration as he scored his tries. The former rugby league player however appears to have lost his confidence over the last 18 months as the tries dried up with England. After scoring 15 tries in his first 17 caps, his 20 caps since the 2011 World Cup have yielded just three. During that time Ashton's defensive positioning and game management have come under increasing scrutiny and with the World Cup just 18 months away, Lancaster is determined to explore his options by giving Nowell and May a chance to shine in Paris, at the stadium where Ashton made his debut in a 12-10 defeat in March 2010. Nowell 20, has earned rave reviews for his performances for Exeter this season, delivering an eye-catching display in the Heineken Cup match against Toulon and he has said he would not be daunted by the prospect of making his senior debut in Paris. Definitely I feel ready. I made my Premiership debut at 19 and I could have said I was ready then," Nowell said. But if you're not put in that situation you never know. I could have been 22 asking 'am I ready"? When (Exeter coach) Rob Baxter threw me in at the deep end in the past I thought 'all the better'. I've got so much to learn still and I know that, but the only way I will learn is if I'm put into these situations. England also look likely to start with a new centre combination of Billy Twelvetrees and Northampton's uncapped Luther Burrell. "Luther loves a bit of bosh," his Saints team-mate Courtney Lawes said by way of compliment.