Preoccupied with preserving their Premier League status, a number of them have rested their regulars for FA Cup games and fielded clearly understrength sides.
The Wallabies looked in danger of slipping to an embarrassing defeat to a severely understrength Springboks side as they trailed 17-0 in the first half.
Ashton then took a vastly understrength party to South Africa in May where England, depleted by injury, illness and club commitments, lost heavily in both Tests.