Toulon-bound Ashton’s cap career all but over

Chris Ashton is to join Toulon next season in a move that all but ends his England career.

Saracens have confirmed that wing Ashton, who is currently serving a 13-week suspension for biting, will depart after a five-year spell at Allianz Park during which he has established himself as the double winners’ leading try scorer.

England will only pick overseas-based players in exceptional circumstances, so the move prevents him from adding to his 39 caps for the duration of his spell in France.

The 29-year-old is said to have grown disillusioned with life in the English Premiership after falling foul of the game’s disciplinary process and Saracens granted his request to be released early from his contract. He served a ten-week suspension for raking his hand over the face of Ulster’s Luke Marshall earlier this year, preventing him from taking up his place in England’s RBS Six Nations squad, before being given a second lengthy ban of the year last month. In both instances, Ashton felt he was harshly treated.

Meanwhile, Wales are hopeful British and Irish Lions wing George North will be able to prove his fitness for Northampton Saints this weekend.

North forms part of a worrying Wales injury list ahead of their opening autumn international against Australia in Cardiff on 5 November, with Scarlets trio Liam Williams, Jake Ball and Scott Williams also fitness doubts.

North damaged a hand during Northampton’s Europeanchampionscupdefeatby Castres last weekend, but the Wales management have been told that the 24-year-old could feature in the Saints’ Premiership clash with Gloucester on Friday evening.