Dallaglio was outspoken against Ashton's coaching style

Dallaglio, 35, accused Ashton of a lack of leadership and said England were like a pub team in the early matches.

"I've never been a vindictive man," Ashton said. "If a player is the best in that position, then he will get selected. It's that simple.

"I didn't like the criticism but, to be honest, it just washed over me."

England's World Cup campaign was rocked by a 36-0 loss to South Africa in the pool stages but after a series of frank meetings, they rediscovered their winning ways and reached the final, losing 15-6 in a rematch with the Springboks.

As was shown in the World Cup, experience counts for a hell of a lot Brian Ashton

Former England captain Dallaglio and veteran centre Mike Catt both publicly criticised Ashton in their autobiographies which were published after the World Cup.

The 36-year-old Catt has since retired from international rugby, but Dallaglio, joint-second on England's all-time list with 85 caps, said he would not retire for a second time, having originally quit international rugby in 2004 before returning two years later.

Ashton, reappointed head coach this week on an "indefinite" contract, will name a 32-man squad for the Six Nations on 9 January.

Despite the likely introduction of youngsters such as Wasps duo Danny Cipriani and James Haskell, Ashton indicated he will retain a spine of experienced players.

"You have always got to have the balance in a side between the exuberance of youth and some experience," he said.

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"The ideal balance would be to have the best 15 players in the team, with some of those players being really experienced and some coming in for their first or second cap.

"At this stage I have a pretty good idea of the World Cup players we are looking at to perform again in the Six Nations.

"Although current form will be extremely important, there's little doubt that there are a number of 31 and 32-year-olds who are still the best in their positions in the country.

"The younger guys are an unknown quantity in many respects because if they put their hands up high enough then they might sneak in.

"But as was shown in the World Cup, experience counts for a hell of a lot.

"I would like to think that English rugby is in pretty rude health at the moment."