SPLASH IS BACK
Ashton joins Sale in bid for World Cup call
CHRIS ASHTON has signed for Sale to reignite his England career after Toulon agreed to release him from his contract.
The race has been on for Ashton’s signature ever since he scored a spectacular hat-trick for the Barbarians against England at Twickenham in May and then spoke of his wish to play in next year’s World Cup.
Under the current guidelines, England will not select players based overseas.
After considering his position, Ashton, who had been visited by England captain and good friend Dylan Hartley on holiday following the Barbarians game, formally asked Toulon if he could be released early. Initially the French side fought hard to retain one of their prize assets but that did not stop both Sale and Harlequins immediately expressing an interest and yesterday the deal fell into place when Toulon relented.
Ashton made no mention of any international ambitions yesterday, focusing instead on his commitment to the Sharks.
He said: ‘In Toulon, I’ve added to the experience I gained at Saracens. There are many players at Sale Sharks with whom I’m looking forward to playing. I’m not coming to rest on my laurels. I’ve got a lot of rugby left in me and would like to make an impact and help to take the club back to their winning ways of 2006.’
Sale’s director of rugby Steve Diamond said: ‘Chris is a worldclass signing. He wanted to return to this country to fulfil his potential with England again and we thought he’d fit in well here. He’s a multi-talented, superb professional who experienced a successful culture at Saracens.’
It is understood that Ashton has accepted a significant pay cut to make the move. He has also waived some image rights fees at Toulon that were still due to him
The 31-year-old was in stunning form for Toulon throughout his one season for the club, scoring 24 tries to establish a T14 record. For much of that time he operated at full back and that seems to have improved his all-round game and defence, which should strengthen his England claims
Ashton has never failed to deliver as a try-scorer. He claimed 19 in 39 Tests and holds the record for tries in European Cup games with 39 for Saracens and Northampton and is also fourth on the all-time Premiership list with 80. His arrival at Sale will strengthen an already dangerous back division which includes England wings Denny Solomona and Marland Yarde, while in the England camp it could result in a significant reshuffle.
Jonny May was one of the few successes on the tour of South Africa so it could be that Ashton will now be seen in competition with Elliot Daly on the other wing unless the latter moves permanently to either full back or outside centre. Ashton made his England debut in 2010 and last represented his country in 2014 before being dropped by Stuart Lancaster ahead of the 2015 World Cup.