Northern Edition
Select Edition
Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Leicester confirm 'sound-out conversation' with Chris Ashton

(Photo by Getty Images)

Leicester boss Steve Borthwick has confirmed that free agent Chris Ashton visited the Tigers training ground on Tuesday in the hope of potentially reigniting his career with the Gallagher Premiership leaders. The soon-to-be 35-year-old was released from his contract at Worcester in December and is now exploring ways to prolong his time in the game as a player.  

ADVERTISEMENT

Borthwick was an England assistant when Ashton won the last of his 44 Test caps under Eddie Jones and although his most recent club stints at Sale, Harlequins and Worcester all ended abruptly, the Leicester coach admitted at his weekly media briefing that he has plenty of time for Ashton who sits third on the list of all-time Premiership try-scorers.  

“We go a long way back,” said Borthwick to media on a day when seven contract extensions were confirmed at Leicester, including fresh terms for recently capped England pair Joe Heyes and Nic Dolly. “We played together many, many years ago. 

Video Spacer

Facing Goliath Trailer | Behind the scenes with Italy vs All Blacks | RugbyPass Originals

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 2:12
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 2:12
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
    • en (Main), selected
    Video Spacer

    Facing Goliath Trailer | Behind the scenes with Italy vs All Blacks | RugbyPass Originals

    “I met with him and had a chat just to see where he was at. It’s the first time I have spoken to him in a long time. It was really just a sound-out conversation.

    “My experience of Chris is someone who is determined to win, very driven and very, very competitive. When I played with him, I always enjoyed that. It doesn’t always mean you are nice and pally. In a driven environment, it’s great to have those people.

    Related

    “That is the way I always found him when I was playing alongside him. That’s the way I found him playing against him. That’s what I heard from him when I coached against him in the England squad. I regard that competitiveness as a strength.

    “In terms of how and what has happened with other teams, I have no idea and not a huge amount of interest, to be honest. It’s none of my business. I just take the guy on what I see and had a chance to chat with him and catch up today.”

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    Play Video

    KOKO Show | August 19th | The Wallabies Break a 62 Year Drought and KOKO lets Shimmy Hear all About It!

    Play Video

    Could Ellie Kildunne be the best rugby player in the universe? | Official RWC25 Pod

    Play Video

    France vs England | Women's International | Full Match Replay

    Play Video

    Ireland vs Canada | Women's International | Full Match Replay

    Play Video

    Queen of the Coal Age

    Play Video

    Classic Wallabies vs British & Irish Legends | Second Match | Full Match Replay

    Play Video

    Lions Share | Episode 6

    Play Video

    Historic Lions Series win at the MCG | Ep 7: The Ultimate Test

    Trending on RugbyPass

    Comments

    0 Comments
    Be the first to comment...

    Join free and tell us what you really think!

    Sign up for free
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Latest Long Reads

    Comments on RugbyPass