Matt Banahan on his way to scoring England’s only try of the autumn internationals, against Argentina at Twickenham. Picture: Clive Gee/PA Wire

Manager Martin Johnson was bullish about England’s RBS 6 Nations title chances after naming a new-look squad that has retained Jerseyman Matt Banahan, but which also includes rugby league converts Shontayne Hape and Chris Ashton.

Banahan, who turned 23 just after Christmas, was the only England player to score a try in the autumn internationals, with the Bath winger now having three in total from five Tests – in a side that clearly lacked creativity.

Along with the rugby league duo Johnson has also promoted Northampton’s dynamic duo Ben Foden and Courtney Lawes into his 32-man squad after learning some brutal lessons, with Australia, Argentina and New Zealand all leaving Twickenham stating how comfortable it had been to defend against England.

Johnson admitted last night the coaching had been ‘over-prescriptive’ in the autumn, the game-plan too conservative and his squad selection has set about rectifying the problem.