Northampton Saints winger Chris Ashton has celebrated his Six Nations call-up by signing a new two-year deal at Franklin's Gardens.

Ashton, 22, was named in Martin Johnson's England squad on Wednesday after scoring 15 tries in 16 league and cup matches this season.

Ashton told the club's website: "Saints have been a great club to be part of over the past couple of years.

"We're ambitious to be one of the top clubs in England and Europe."

He added: "It was a hard year last year as I came to terms with the Premiership, but the coaches stuck with me.

"I'm still learning and I believe I can improve a lot."

Ashton has proved a revelation in the 15-man game after making the switch from rugby league at the start of the 2007/08 season.

"Chris has worked very hard on his game, especially over the past 18 months," added Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder.

"After a fantastic season in National League One he had a quiet first year in the Guinness Premiership.

"But he spent a lot of time learning the game and honing the small details that didn't get found out at the lower level. He's starting to reap the benefits now.

"At 22 he's still a young player with plenty to offer and I'm delighted he's decided to stay and be a part of the Saints."

Ashton follows scrum-half Lee Dickson and new England colleague Ben Foden, who have also agreed new terms at Northampton in recent days.

Chris Ashton has vowed to follow in the footsteps of boyhood hero Jason Robinson after his England call-up for the Six Nations.

‘You could achieve half of what Jason did I’m sure you could go home and lead the rest of your life just like him,’ Ashton said about his mission to emulate the World Cup winner.

‘Jason was my childhood hero at Wigan who Ii used to watch every week. he was the one who scored all the tries. So for me to move over (from rugby league to union) he’s the perfect role model you could have,’ said the 22-year-old Northampton wing.

Ashton was named in Martin Johnson’s England squad on Wednesday and has
finalised a new two-year contract at Northampton worth well over £100,000 a year.

The deal continues an ‘unbelievable’ season for Ashton, who has gone from a reserve at Northampton to a contender for an England debut in the opening Six Nations game on February 6 against Wales at Twickenham.

If Northampton’s head coach Jim Mallinder has his way then the form of his star winger — 15 tries in 16 games — demands that England award that first cap.

‘It all depends on whether England are going to pick experienced players, but if you are going to pick on form then Chris is the one,’ Mallinder said.

Ashton has found his stride at the top level after he started the season behind club colleague Paul Diggin. He spent the first two games on the sidelines for the Guinness Premiership side and had to watch Diggin score a match-winning try in the season opener against Worcester.