1
Chris Ashton rumoured to be in the Sixways departure lounge
By Paul Smith
Former England winger Chris Ashton is on the verge of leaving another club according to today’s Daily Mail.
ADVERTISEMENT
Writing in his weekly column, Nik Simon also suggests that legal procedures are underway between the much-travelled 34-year-old and Worcester Warriors.
Ashton made the switch to Sixways earlier this year and to date has only featured three times in Alan Solomons’ side.
The former Wigan rugby league star who went on to score 100 points in a 44-cap international rugby union career, rose to England prominence under Stuart Lancaster when he is best remembered for a length-of-Twickenham try against Australia.
But after spending five seasons and making more the 100 appearances for both Northampton and Saracens, Ashton has experienced a nomadic working life.
Two seasons with French giants Toulon have since 2018 been followed by short stints at Sale, Harlequins and now Worcester, none of which ended happily.
Wonder how this will go down with the powers-that-be at the RFU? ??https://t.co/G8MAWFhVbx
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 1, 2021
After 32 games for the Manchester-based Sharks Ashton was sent packing by then-boss Steve Diamond following a difference of opinion.
ADVERTISEMENT
“There is no situation, just a disagreement on how we want to play the game. He wants to do it one way, I want to do it another and that’s it, so end of story,” the veteran director of rugby said.
Ashton then left Harlequins in January after making only two appearances and failing to impress the coaching staff enough to win a contract extension.
Now he is alleged to have been involved in a “bust-up” with the management of Worcester, with his friend Danny Care telling BBC Rugby Union Weekly podcast – on which Ashton is an occasional co-host – that “there are rumours of discontent in the camp.”
When asked about Ashton’s availability prior to Worcester’s superb round seven Gallagher Premiership win over Sale last weekend head coach Jonathan Thomas said that his former England winger is not currently being considered.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We don’t comment on speculation or rumours,” he said.
“Chris is unavailable for selection this weekend. As it stands, he is unavailable but there is nothing else to comment on further, other than his selection this weekend.”
In September Thomas laughed off earlier rumours of a disagreement between Ashton and the Warriors’ management, even saying he had shared a hug with the former England man after training.
"November represents the midpoint between Japan 2019 ?? and France 2023 ?? which means Jones’ scope to throw the pieces in the air and see where they land is becoming more limited" ???????https://t.co/BI3FhzGBWC
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 1, 2021
