After scoring 41 tries in his first season of rugby union as Saints blitzed National League One to return to the big time, everybody is talking about Ashton.

Saints boss Jim Mallinder has kept the 21-year-old, who won an England cap in rugby league before his move from Wigan Warriors, out of the media spotlight in the build-up to the new season as the hype about Ashton's potential grows.

And Barnes, who won 10 caps for England and played 19 times for the Barbarians, feels Ashton will have no trouble adapting to the faster pace of the Premiership and could well set the league alight.

"I'm big fan of the potential of Chris Ashton," said Barnes.

"The bloke has got balance, he is a finisher and he's got attitude. I saw a lot of the Northampton games last season, with the tapes coming into Sky, I watched him closely. I know the standard between National League One and the Premiership is vast, but I just thought he had class written all over him.

"I expect him to play for England within two years. He is one of the players I am looking forward to seeing play the most this season."

Mallinder will be hoping Ashton can find his feet instantly in the Premiership, especially after scoring four tries in three games during pre-season.

Ashton's defence was tested little in division one last season, but Mallinder says they haven't done any special work on the winger's tackling or kicking in pre-season.

Barnes says it is a concern, but he expects Ashton, who he felt should have gone on the summer Saxons tour to North America, to learn quickly just as England World Cup winner and fellow code-switcher Jason Robinson did.

"His defence is an area where oppositions will be looking at him and he could get exposed," said Barnes.

"There will be more kicking because of the ELVs and the law about not being allowed to pass back into the 22. He will be tested.

"But in the same way when Jason Robinson came over and he wasn't a very good kicker, he worked on it and improved enough to be very effective for England, so it will be up to Ashton to improve it."

Barnes feels Ashton has the pace and raw ingredients to be a hit in the Premiership. He is already in England's thinking after a call-up to the Saxons squad last season and with a full pre-season behind him Barnes is predicting fireworks.

"I know as a powerful runner, a creator, and a footballer with balance and the quality of his hands, he clearly has international potential, there is no doubt about that," said Barnes.

"Watching him play at this level is going to be one of the most interesting parts of the season for English fans.

"It is just question of how much quality ball Saints can give him. If they can give him enough we will have an England star on our hands."