Ellis proved the outstanding performer for the world champions in a tournament that saw them beat Scotland, Italy and France, but lose both away games against Ireland and Wales.

And his form proved a major boost for England, having struggled to find a consistent occupier of the scrum-half role after Matt Dawson and Kyran Bracken retired post-2003 World Cup.

Head coach Ashton said: I think Harry Ellis, at this moment in time, has established himself as Englands number one number nine.

He is an incredibly physical scrum-half, and he has done well. I am really pleased by his efforts.

Ellis scored Englands opening try in a 27-18 Millennium Stadium defeat against Wales, and then set up wing Jason Robinson for a scintillating touchdown following his rampaging break through the home defence.

While Ashton admits he is a fair distance away from formulating the World Cup squad that will defend the Webb-Ellis Trophy in France later this year, Ellis appears a certainty, having seen off his current closest challengers Shaun Perry and Peter Richards.

Englands next Test is against World Cup pool opponents South Africa in Bloemfontein on May 26, and Ashton added: I am going to sit down this next week and have a really good look at the personnel available, then start working towards getting a squad together for South Africa.

You can split the Six Nations into two phases from our point of view.

Had we stayed with the way we played in the first three games [against Scotland, Italy and Ireland], we would have made no progress whatsoever.

Weve tried to change that, so I think we have made some significant progress. We have just got to work really hard now to get the balance right in terms of how we play the game.

Weve only had two games with the mindset change, so we are going to have to take it on board pretty smartly.

Everyone is critical to it. Weve got to have everyone singing from the same hymn sheet, as it were.

I felt that some players dealt with the (Wales) game better than others. In that sort of environment, especially with the younger players, they will learn a hell of a lot.

Maybe it is an experience they have got to go through to progress. Lots of sides around the world in different sports have been through that sort of thing before.