Northampton Saints winger Chris Ashton has celebrated his Six Nations call-up by signing a new two-year deal at Franklin's Gardens.

Ashton, 22, was named in Martin Johnson's England squad on Wednesday after scoring 15 tries in 16 league and cup matches this season.

Ashton told the club's website: "Saints have been a great club to be part of over the past couple of years.

"We're ambitious to be one of the top clubs in England and Europe."

He added: "It was a hard year last year as I came to terms with the Premiership, but the coaches stuck with me.

"I'm still learning and I believe I can improve a lot."

At 22 he's still a young player with plenty to offer and I'm delighted he's decided to stay and be a part of the Saints Jim Mallinder

Ashton has proved a revelation in the 15-man game after making the switch from rugby league at the start of the 2007/08 season.

"Chris has worked very hard on his game, especially over the past 18 months," added Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder.

"After a fantastic season in National League One he had a quiet first year in the Guinness Premiership.

"But he spent a lot of time learning the game and honing the small details that didn't get found out at the lower level. He's starting to reap the benefits now.

"At 22 he's still a young player with plenty to offer and I'm delighted he's decided to stay and be a part of the Saints."

Ashton follows scrum-half Lee Dickson and new England colleague Ben Foden, who have also agreed new terms at Northampton in recent days.

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