Ashton 'pretty pleased' with England's victory over France

The 24-13 triumph was England's biggest win against France in Paris since a 31-13 victory 16 years ago, and one that blew this season's Six Nations title race wide open.

Ashton said: "I am delighted we went in at half-time 13-7 ahead.

"We had one or two things to iron out, but we weathered the storm and worked our way back into the game. I am pretty pleased."

Fly-half Jonny Wilkinson kicked 14 points, while tries by wing Paul Sackey and scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth saw England home.

Wilkinson also set a new world record of 29 Test drop-goals, while he moved level with Welshman Neil Jenkins' world-best points tally of 1090, if his 20-point total for the Lions against Argentina in 2005 is ratified.

Ashton still targeted areas of concern though, after England destroyed French Grand Slam hopes and left Wales clear at the championship summit.

He added: "By my conservative estimate, we gave away eight penalties by half-time, which won't put you on the front foot. We need to look at the discipline side of things.

"Our penalty count was nowhere near as high in the second-half.

"I thought Richard Wigglesworth showed quite a lot of composure. He bossed the forwards well around the tackle area, and Jonny had one of his better games since 2003."

France coach Marc Lievremont launched a fierce outburst at England hooker Mark Regan, but Ashton countered: "I don't comment on what other coaches say.

"Mark Regan is an outstanding hooker. He is a good scrapper in the nicest sense of the word, and a player the guys like playing with.

"We took him off (after 50 minutes) because he damaged his hand."

Ashton, meanwhile, confirmed that flanker James Haskell suffered an ankle injury that forced him off during the first-half, although the extent of it is not yet known.

Lievremont did not hold back in his criticism of Regan.

He said: "I thought the behaviour of the English hooker was completely unacceptable at times.

"It wasn't in the spirit of the game. He was a bit of a clown, really.

"Every time there was a lineout he was provocative, but this didn't detract from England and the fact they deserved their victory."

On the game in general, Lievremont was more magnanimous.

He added: "My main feeling is one of disappointment, a bit like the World Cup semi-final, but when you are playing such a pragmatic team it is very difficult.

"The positives are that we tried really hard to the end. We showed courage and solidity, but it just didn't come off.

"It is not a case of not following instructions. England defended really well, and we found it hard to get sequences of play going.

"I thought our half-backs were outstanding, they did really well, as did number eight Louis Picamoles for such a young player.

"We always want to look at other players, but if we do change players, it must not be viewed as a punishment.

"The English pack is extremely strong, but we are hoping to progress in that area, and I don't think we were dominated in the scrums.

Skipper Lionel Nallet added: "We felt powerless at times.

"We found it difficult to find solutions at times, and once you are behind against a team like England, it is very difficult to come back.

"The most important thing is to use this defeat in order to progress."