FAF IS DE BEST CLAIMS ASHTON

EXCLUSIVE

CHRIS ASHTON has hailed Faf de Klerk the “best No.9 in the world” and claims he can lift more silverware with Sale Sharks.

The Springbok sensation lit up the World Cup with his long blond hair and red-hot form as South Africa sent Eddie Jones and his England outfit home empty-handed.

The scrum-half (right) has since returned to club action and is now the catalyst for Sharks’ European crusade, with Steve Diamond’s men hosting Exeter Chiefs in a Champions Cup Pool 2 clash today.

England winger Ashton, who pulled himself out of contention for the World Cup because of family reasons, said: “Faf is a fireball of energy.

“The way he plays rugby is so different to your generic No.9. You never know what he is going to do.

“He will fly out of the defensive line and cut off passes and smash people back a few yards.

“He does everything and you almost don’t need a No.10 some times because he runs, passes and kicks. I’ve never seen a No.9 that fast and he’s in the game constantly.

“He has improved so much over the past year or two that you would struggle to find a better No.9 in the world.

“He is sheer hell to play against so I am pleased he is at Sharks and I can play alongside him.

“We are fortunate to have so many amazing players at this club and he is one of them.

“You need a world-class No.9 if you want to win trophies because he helps the team’s positive attitude and momentum and sparks life into the rest of the guys.”

Sale have made a steady start to both their domestic and European campaigns but Ashton is confident of a triumphant season ahead.

The winger added: “The talent we now have at the club is very impressive. “We want to challenge for trophies and we now have a squad which should certainly make it an enjoyable season.”