MARTIN Corry has declined Brian Ashton's offer of a place in England's squad for the RBS 6 Nations Championship with the opening clash with Wales just weeks away.

The 34-year-old is a former captain of the national side and appeared in the World Cup final defeat against South Africa in October.

However, the Leicester Tigers player has revealed he has turned down England boss Ashton's invitation to play in the competition which starts next month as he does not believe he can maintain his high standards in both international and domestic rugby.

Corry said: "It's just a shame I am getting old.

"If I could carry on for the next 10 years I would because I genuinely love playing for Leicester and England.

"Brian rang me to say they were going to name me in the 32 and asked if that was what I wanted.

"Unfortunately, I just can't keep doing it all.

"Something has to give if I want to keep playing to the required standard.'' It means Ashton will be shorn of another experienced player following the retirements of Jason Robinson, Mike Catt and Lawrence Dallaglio for England's first match against Wales at Twickenham on February 2.

Corry has earned 64 caps as well as six for the British Lions and was a member of the 2003 World Cup-winning side.

Meanwhile Scotland head coach Frank Hadden will today unveil his squad for the RBS 6 Nations Championship - with the potential for several surprises.

The likes of Glasgow wing Thom Evans, Edinburgh centre Nick de Luca and Edinburgh flanker Ross Rennie will be hoping to nudge ahead of more established names to feature in Hadden's player pool.

They made the grade when Hadden unveiled his 44-man training squad in December, and with changes expected after last year's torrid Six Nations campaign they will surely have featured prominently in Hadden's deliberations.

One man who could be brought in, in his case from the cold, is Edinburgh fly-half Phil Godman, their drop goal hero in Friday night's win against Cardiff Blues.