Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen and James Lowe started every game of Ireland’s 2023 Grand Slam-winning campaign and the trio are on the Lions tour.
Despite their level of collective cohesion, Ashton says England wing Tommy Freeman has been the best back-three player so far in Australia and should start the first Test.
“Freeman is carrying all over the pitch and is scoring tries – only he is doing that so far out on the wing this tour,” Ashton added.
“He is hitting lines in the middle of the pitch as they want to use his carrying.
“He’s got a yard more pace compared to Hansen and a bit more size.”
The selection at full-back is another call to be made after Keenan, who played his first game in more than a month on Saturday, struggled to impose himself on his Lions debut.
Scotland full-back Blair Kinghorn started on the wing against the Waratahs and lacked ball to show off his attacking prowess on his Lions debut.
The 28-year-old joined the tour late after starting the Top 14 semi-final and final on the left wing for Toulouse, leaving only two games to get a start in the number 15 shirt before the first Test.
“The full-back Test spot is open,” Ashton said.
“Kinghorn has hardly played full-back for his club, which takes a bit of time to adjust back to.
“He has to train and play at 15 and get what he is so good at – the two-sided attack from the ruck and be that extra ball carrier – he has to remember to do that, rather than chasing kicks on the wing.”
