Ashton hopes for level-headed display

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

His side have arrived at the last-four stage despite suffering a tournament record 36-0 loss to South Africa four weeks ago, with successive victories over Samoa, Tonga and Australia revitalising their campaign.

Ashton said: "I think there is a heightened sense of anticipation among the players, and it is going to heighten even more. The important thing about anxiety is it is okay, so long as you convert it the right way on the field. The side that controls their emotions, especially in the first 20 minutes, will go a long way towards winning the game."

England have already played France three times, losing back-to-back World Cup warm-up games against them, but Ashton is keen to stress the one-off nature of the contest.

He added: "You pick up bits and pieces out of all the games, but it is such a one-off on Saturday night that what has happened this year is an irrelevance.

"You don't have such a game come along very often, and we are treating it as a one-off Test match.

"We've talked about how we want to attack, how we want to defend, but what if France don't play the way we have planned for them to do so? The players need to be adaptable on the field."