Saracens winger Chris Ashton believes the country's weather puts English players at a disadvantage when it comes to playing more open, attacking rugby.

Much of the build up to the autumn internationals has surrounded the need for the national side to adopt a more creative style to compete with the world's top teams and although England cruised past Fiji 54-12 on Saturday, the team still lacked fluidity, particularly in the early stages. 

Ashton, who was suspended for the match, believes the tendency to adopt more direct tactics stems from the way players learn to play at a young age.

"A lot of the problems here can come because of the weather and spending more time outside in bad weather means you maybe naturally play more of a kicking game," Ashton said.

"In other countries they spend more time throwing the ball around and getting used to the ball from a young age."

England take on Australia at Twickenham on Saturday and the 25-year-old believes some of the Southern Hemisphere sides are better off because there is more focus on rugby from a young age.

He said: "In this country we have so many distractions what with other sports like football, and that maybe has an effect, whereas in Australia and New Zealand and places like this, their focus is much more on rugby from a young age.

"You have to put these things in perspective and the conditions can be very tough here for carrying the ball."

Ashton's chances of starting for England against the Wallabies received a boost after rival winger Ugo Monye was released back to Harlequins on Wednesday.