Chris Ashton will make his England Test debut against France on Saturday just six months after he nearly quit the sport.

The Northampton winger had been unstoppable after switching codes from Wigan in 2007, scoring a record-breaking 39 tries as the Saints marched back into the Guinness Premiership.

The former England rugby league star struggled to cope with the step up and began to doubt he would make the grade in top-flight rugby union.

But Northampton coach Paul Grayson always had faith and Ashton has responded by roaring back into form with 19 tries in 25 matches for the Saints this season.

"I didn't think I would get this chance," said Ashton, who has come into the England team for injured Harlequins winger Ugo Monye.

"Last year I was a bit lost in everything. I had been playing in Division One and I couldn't stop myself scoring tries.

"I stepped up into the Premiership and was expecting to hit the ground running but that didn't happen. There was a lot of pressure and I hit the floor.

"It shocked me a bit and knocked me back. At one point I was quite serious (about moving back to rugby league).

"We had a few friendlies at the start of this season and I still wasn't getting picked. I thought there was no way back.

"For someone who expects a lot from themselves it was frustrating but Grayson always said 'stick with it, your chance will come'.

"Thinking back to it now, it probably couldn't have worked out any better for me. I had the time to actually figure out this rugby union game and make it work."

The 22-year-old's England rugby league debut was also against France, at Headingley in the 2006 Federation Shield, but in very different circumstances.

France are minnows in rugby league. On Saturday night, Les Bleus are attempting to be crowned champions of Europe and complete a ninth Grand Slam.

This time, Ashton believes he is ready for the step up having received the ideal grounding in Northampton's Heineken Cup clashes with European giants Munster and Perpignan.

"That will definitely help me this weekend," he said.

Ashton will have a familiar face alongside him in Ben Foden, the Saints full-back who will be making his first Test start for England after two eye-catching cameo appearances off the bench.

The Northampton pair have been brought in to add some spark to an England back division that has been laboured and one-dimensional throughout the RBS 6 Nations.

Tries have been in short supply for England this season but not at Franklin's Gardens. Only Gloucester have scored more Premiership tries than the Saints this season.

"Hopefully we can bring to England what we do what we do at Northampton and that will create some tries," Ashton added.

Foden has been pushing for an England start for the best part of two years and received a dressing down from Martin Johnson after announcing he was "livid" at being overlooked in the autumn.

England's coaching team still have their doubts about his security at the back, particularly under the high ball, but Johnson admitted Foden's form demanded an opportunity.

Foden is confident he can deliver a strong display at the Stade de France on Saturday night.

"I'm definitely ready for it," said the 24-year-old.

"It's a big stage to be on, taking on the Six Nations leaders who are going for a Grand Slam in their back garden.

"I'm relishing the chance to test myself in that situation.

"This is something I have been looking forward to all my rugby career. It is a massive opportunity. A lot of people are expecting big things from me and hopefully I can deliver.

"It is in these situations that you find out what you are capable of - you really test your mettle.

"One of the reasons I'm in the team is for my running ability and my counter-attacking ability, so I'm not going to shy away from that.

"I have to use my head and read when it is on to run and when to kick. I am ready to make those decisions."

Foden expects to dovetail effectively with Ashton, as they do for Saints.

"I will play to my strengths and I know what Ashy is capable of if he gets a bit of space," he added.

"We've had some good form together with Northampton so hopefully we can cause a bit of damage.

"They want us to counter-attack so hopefully I can do what I do best."