Mears' club form has helped Bath push for the play-offs (Getty Images)

Bath hooker Lee Mears believes his club form swayed Brian Ashton into picking him ahead of Bristol's Mark Regan for Saturday's Six Nations match.

"The coach is always looking at the teams and how they're playing in the Premiership," Mears told BBC Sport.

"If you're going well in there near the top it makes them have a serious look at you."

Mears joins club-mates Steve Borthwick and Michael Lipman in the starting line-up for the game against Scotland.

Bath's Matt Stevens keeps his place on the bench for the Murrayfield clash.

England head coach Ashton told the BBC Mears has earned his place.

"Mears has been outstanding week-in, week-out for Bath since the World Cup ended," he said.