‘I’m just a winger in a fat person’s body’: Ashman on a High after debut try
DEBUTS do not come much better than the one experienced by Ewan Ashman yesterday. The Scotland hooker was called off the bench far earlier than expected as a result of George Turner’s 10th-minute injury, but he took little or no time to settle in, and was later responsible for one of the key moments of the match as he dived in at the corner for his team’s second try in their 15-13 win against the Wallabies.
“I didn’t have any time to get nervous,” the Sale Sharks forward said after the game, which saw Gregor Townsend’s side claim a third successive win against Australia. “I just stripped off and got on there. It was actually really good for me as those nerves were kind of building and it just let me relax into it – straight on and straight into the job. I really enjoyed it.”
The try, scored on the hour mark, put Scotland 12-8 ahead at BT Murrayfield after the visitors had fought back to take the lead. The score came about after another frontrow forward, Edinburgh prop Pierre Schoeman, passed to Ashman close to the left touchline. The 21-year-old hooker still had a lot of work to do as the Wallabies defence closed in – but he did it brilliantly, flying through the air to touch down before his feet went into touch.
“I didn’t think Schoey was going to give me the ball there,” he said.
“He’s good from that range so I thought he would be head down. Fortunately he gave me the ball and I snuck in. I think I’m just a winger in a fat person’s body.
“I was thinking of doing a rugby league one-hander, but I thought I could sneak in with two hands so better safe than sorry. It was good work from the boys to get there.”
Although his parents are Scottish and he has previously played for Scotland Under20s, Ashman would have been eligible to represent England at full international level; while born in Canada, he has lived in the Manchester area since he was a few years old. England’s management were well aware of that possibility, and dispatched a representative or two to have a discreet conversation with the player. It was a wasted journey.
“Some guys came to Sale and spoke to me,” he explained. “I listened to what they had to say, but it was never a decision for me as I’m Scottish. I told Gregor he had nothing to worry about and I’d be at the next camp.
“I think if the England guys had approached my dad or uncle then there wouldn’t even have been a conversation. They’re as Scottish as they come. It was a real proud day for me and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
An open, entertaining encounter came down, as expected, to the last few minutes,
and Scotland had enough stamina and composure to see out the win. Ashman admitted he had felt a little short of energy late in the game, but said that more experienced team-mates and the capacity crowd had helped him keep going.
“I was blowing by the end. But the boys gee you up and there’s lots of energy throughout the team. Senior boys kept talking to me. It’s not hard to get up.
“I was buzzing coming to Murrayfield and the adrenaline was through the roof. Singing the anthem I was trying to hold it together. I was just buzzing to be there and that carried me through.”
The influence of those “senior boys”, Ashman insisted, had been just as important in the build-up to the game. To the outside observer he may have given the impression of being a calm, established member of the squad, but he said that was more to do with the assistance of his colleagues rather than any intrinsic virtues he might possess.
“It’s easy, because guys like Gilcho [Grant Gilchrist] and Stuart McInally break it down in reps through the week. I’ve been in a few camps, but I’m fairly new to this, so to have those senior guys giving guidance really helps. I was really just focusing on my set-piece today and trying to do my job for the team, and anything more than that was just a bonus.”