Ashton will have to pick a much-weakened side for the first Test

Ashton will not be able to select Wasps, Leicester or Bath players for at least the first Test as they are all in European finals action six days before.

England will play two Tests in South Africa, on 26 May and 2 June.

"I'll spend the next few days considering my options before making any final selection decisions after the upcoming Premiership games," he said.

"I'm absolutely delighted that Leicester Tigers and London Wasps have reached the Heineken Cup final and that Bath Rugby are in the European Challenge Cup final.

"It's a tribute to all those involved at the clubs that they have achieved that feat."

The England pack which started against Wales in the final Six Nations game was made up entirely of Leicester and Wasps players.