Martin Johnson had warned the red-hot wing not to carry out the risky celebration but the 23-year-old, who now has six tries in this year’s championships, defied his coach’s wishes.

As Ashton completed the record-breaking effort he launched himself across the Twickenham turf for a second time, and Ashton admitted the rush of blood to his head may have enraged his boss.

In relation to the swan dive, Martin Johnson jokingly suggested that it would be the last game Chris Ashton would ever play for England.

“I really hope he does not carry out his threats. Instinct took over,” Ashton said.

“I was thinking ‘ennie meenie mini mo’ all the way up to the try-line to whether I would do the dive but the minute I was there on the line - I decided it was right.

“I really do not think when I’m on the pitch about my running lines. It is all just instinctive.

“It is the other boys who put me in the space so my tries are just as much theirs as mine.”

Ashton’s try-scoring form has now put him among the top marksmen in the world game but the Northampton Saints winger was quick to play down his heroics.

“I do not think about my standing in world rugby and where I come,” added Ashton. “It is all about the team effort. However, in terms of individuals it was great for Mark (Cueto) to cross the line.

“He is getting on a bit now so he has been getting grumpy at not scoring so for the teams sake in general, we were pleased to see him score as you could see from the celebrations. I think I ran half the pitch to get there.”