Ashton goes into the first match of his tenure, the Calcutta Cup clash against Scotland at Twickenham on Saturday, with a much changed side from Andy Robinson’s last game in charge of England last autumn.

Chuter openly admits he has carried his share of baggage from a November programme when England suffered home defeats against Argentina, South Africa and New Zealand, which resulted in Ashton’s predecessor Robinson and the Rugby Football Union parting company.

But the hooker has noticed a different atmosphere around England’s training camp in the build up to the 2007 RBS 6 Nations with Ashton in charge.

Chuter said: “There is a lighter feel about things, it is almost as if this is a new term at school.

“I was very annoyed at what happened in the autumn, not just in terms of the team, but also as an individual.

“I am my own harshest critic, and when I looked at the games I played, yes I threw the ball in at the lineout, did the scrums and did some work in the loose, but I didn’t really go that extra step, which is how I play my rugby for Leicester.

“I felt I didn’t really contribute with the ball in hand, and I did not really come out of myself and have the impact I wanted to have.

“I might not have won a lot of caps, but I’ve been playing professional rugby for 10 years, and I didn’t really show that experience during the autumn like I should have done. I am looking to put that right.

“There is no way we can repeat what happened in the autumn. I still think about it, of course I do.

“It was a big opportunity missed by a lot of players, and only a few of us have got the opportunity to put that right.

“I learnt a lot of lessons from the autumn, and more often than not, you learn more about yourself in adversity than if you are on the crest of a wave.”

Chuter was on the bench for Robinson’s last match in charge - a 25-14 defeat against South Africa - with only Josh Lewsey, Joe Worsley, Martin Corry and new captain Phil Vickery retained in the starting XV from that game.