It was my decision alone - Ashton hits back in row over Cipriani axe

The head coach dropped Cipriani from the team to play Scotland at Murrayfield tomorrow for "inappropriate behaviour", but made it clear the youngster will start with a clean slate in the buildup to next Saturday's final Six Nations match with Ireland at Twickenham.

Ashton said: "I do not think I am a draconian sort of coach at all, despite what some people may have said in the last 24 hours.

"I respect everybody's opinion but I am the man in charge and I make the decisions. I really don't mind what people think about me.

"I spoke to Danny and am very comfortable with what I said, and I have known him for a long time. He will be back in camp on Monday night and it will have no bearing on his future selection for England."

Wasps chief Ian McGeechan had defended his player and insisted dropping the 20-year-old after he was photographed leaving the London club at 12.30am yesterday was the wrong decision.

Ashton revealed he had two conversations with McGeechan, who will now have Cipriani on the bench for Sunday's home match with Harlequins.

Ashton added: "I respect Ian's opinion and position and I explained my thoughts, and that was it. He does his job exceptionally well.

"It is my decision alone because I thought Danny's behaviour was inappropriate for an international rugby player almost 48 hours before a Test match against Scotland. I didn't consider any other sanction for Danny. "There isn't a set time for a curfew, but there is a code of conduct that has been drawn up for the players.

"I hope that Iain Balshaw responds in a positive manner and I expect him to perform as an international fullback should. We haven't got the best out of Iain's attacking prowess except for the first half of the Welsh game and he looks incredibly quick.

"I would hope that Iain recognises he has a remarkable opportunity to prove that what I did on Monday by leaving him out was a totally wrong decision. I hope he can turn around to me in the dressing room tomorrow and stick two fingers up at me.

"The problems he had with high kicks against France were due to confusion in communication with his team-mates.

"I am not worried about the focus of the squad and I would hope it doesn't have a destabilising effect. I don't believe it will. This is the first time something like this has happened to me as a coach and I don't consider it to be counter productive."

Ashton was happier discussing the threat winless Scotland posed.

He said: "I was here in 2000 when we lost in the rain and we expect wind and some rain tomorrow.

"These guys are bright enough to understand that our tactics would have to change as a result. The Scots don't like losing to England and we are expecting one hell of a battle."