BRIAN Ashton's new-look England squad has revitalised Jason Robinson's belief in international rugby.

England will launch their RBS 6 Nations Championship campaign against Scotland on Saturday having lost eight of their last nine Tests and dropping outside the world's top five nations.

Head coach Ashton has retained just four of the side beaten by South Africa in predecessor Andy Robinson's final game as England boss nine weeks ago.

But the gambles he's taken with injury-ravaged Jonny Wilkinson, out of the international game since his famous dropped goal won the 2003 World Cup, and ex-Wigan star Andy Farrell have persuaded Sharks star Robinson to come out of international retirement.

Robinson returns to England duty on the left wing after calling time on a Test career which yielded 39 caps and 22 tries.

"I remember being at the Guinness Premiership season launch, and someone asked me about coming out of international retirement," he said.

"At the time, I wasn't sure and a lot of speculation followed. But I feel this is the right time to come back.

"After the 2003 World Cup, it was very hard going straight back into the season,. We really felt it. We weren't getting rest; we were playing all the time and while you can work hard and play hard, you need the rest as well.

"I am excited about being in the squad. I wouldn't be wasting my time, let alone anyone else's, if I didn't think I could add to the team.

"The potential in this squad is very high, and the more this team can play together, the better it is going to be.

"It is a fresh start. There are a lot of smiles on the training field - there is a belief and a confidence."

As for being reunited with his league colleague Robinson, who played with Farrell in the Grand Final against St Helens in 2000, added: "We have had some great times together over the years, and faced many great challenges.

Champions

"He is one of the best players I've played with, and the more games he can get under his belt the better he will be.

"People like Faz and Jonny dedicate every second of their time to being a better player and they want to win, simple as that."

Ashton faces a mammoth task trying to get the world champions back on track with 10 Tests to go before they are due to defend their title.

"We have had a real reality check as to where we are, and where we need to be," the new coach said.

"After the autumn Tests, we sat down as coaches and said we had to find a starting point in 2007. I am excited, as are the players, and there is a feeling and desire within the squad to go out and put England back on the map again.

"We want to develop our game, and maybe take it to levels where we haven't been to before."

But he has taken a big gamble in selecting Wilkinson, who will make his first start for club or country on Saturday after 12 weeks out recovering from a lacerated kidney.

The Newcastle fly-half, who thought he would be lining up in the A team, said: "I'm not one to doubt myself. I'm not a brash individual but I would not be here if I did not believe I was ready.

"I am quiet and capable and believe in myself. There was surprise but if I didn't believe I could do it there would be more surprise."

Ashton has no doubts about Wilkinson's fitness and is also predicting big things from Wigan rugby league stars.

"I know it is another code, but Andy has been right at the top of the world game for a long time," he added.

"I am not asking him to play anything differently than he played for Wigan and Great Britain in terms of execution of skills and leading the team.

"We need in our team players who have the intelligence, understanding and the skill sets - who have actually been at the top of the game and challenged themselves.

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