IT is amazing what one swallow dive can do for your career.

Going into Saturday's clash between England and France all the talk is of the bloke who has assumed the mantle of the most famous ex-rugby league player - Chris Ashton.

Although he did not really break any pots in his short stay at Wigan Warriors – well he certainly did not win any – the former Orrell St James wing is now the flavour of the month in a sport desperate to fill the personality void created by the retirement of Billy Whizz, the relegation of Jonny Wilkinson to the bench and the failure of that five minute wonder who used to be pictured in the papers a lot with Kelly Brook.

Fair play to the lad – he can certainly finish them but some times you cannot help but think there is an hidden agenda.

Ashton’s success is a calling to all other ambitious young players who want to see their names up in lights.

And of course, after getting their fingers a little singed on the signings of Chev Walker, Andrew Farrell, Karl Pryce and Lesley Vainikolo, Ashton’s elevation to a dual code hall of fame once again puts league players back in the market as ripe for recruitment.

We should know - the soap opera that is Kyle Eastmond’s proposed transfer to rugby union has been running for a few weeks now.

Eastmond is a player with massive potential to do well in rugby league.

He has pace, an eye for the gap, deceptive strength and a fair kicking game – but he still has plenty to learn.

Having let Sean Long go after a decade of service, Saints probably thought the player who they had nurtured since he was a 13-year-old kid was going to be the man to grow into those boots.

Alas, if he switches to union much of that potential will go unfulfilled and the search for a special number seven will continue.

I hope the young Oldhamer knows what he is doing and he is not being dazzled by the allure of fame and potential fortune that would come should he make it in union.

For a start, where is he going to play?

His attributes and skill set are not really suited to scrum half in union.

And at 5 ft 6, Eastmond seems a little on the short side to play wing or full back.

So that would probably leave fly half – a key position where you orchestrate play and your kicking game has to be bob-on.

If Eastmond does switch let’s assume it is because he wants to play for England. There are plenty of dyed-in-the wool union men already coveting that all white number 10 shirt, so good luck in that mission.

Although he does not lack confidence and skill Eastmond will need plenty of that to learn the complexities of a new game in the heat of the battle, scrutinised by observers of both codes, with some of those willing him to fail.

It is a gamble for Eastmond - succeed and be a household name, flop and and waste two years of learning more about the game that suits him better. He may just fancy those odds.