Chris Ashton, who has equalled the Premiership’s alltime try scoring record, says he is grateful to Leicester for giving him a chance.
Ashton moved to Leicester last monthHaving left WorcesterHis career was almost over before Christmas.
He stated, “Having spent time at the home thinking, ‘that was it,’ I am just grateful to be back out playing.”
Ashton said that she is enjoying the experience and that if I can get out on a high like this, I’ll be happy that it’s what I set out for.
Ashton played for six Premiership teams, beginning at Northampton in 2007, before moving to Saracens 2012, where he helped them win two titles. He also helped them win a season at French side Toulon 2017.
Sale welcomed him back to England in 2018. He spent the last season at Harlequins, before moving to Worcester in 2021.
The winger won 44 caps for England and scored twenty tries. Steve Borthwick, his ex-coach at Saracens, has now given the player a fresh lease of life.
He replied, “When Steve rang me I was like I’ll be there tomorrow”
“Just being at home and realizing that this cannot be over in any way that it should have been.
“To be able to come in and join a squad the way they are right now and have more energy is a great feeling.
“I just want the game to continue and I feel like 25. I am 35 on Tuesday, but I feel like I’m still playing.”
Borthwick’s Leicester side is 12 points clear at top of the table, and they have already secured a place in end-of-season playoffs.
According to the Leicester boss, Ashton’s positive attitude has been a great influence on him since his move to Welford Road.
“He’s been exceptional. He is an experienced player, and he has competed at the highest level for a long period of time. That experience is invaluable as we are a young team,” he stated.
“This reshaping requires people with experience competing at the top-level, as Leicester Tigers haven’t for a while so the guys don’t have any.
“He’s been great at bringing that about, he trained extremely hard, and he’s shown how to train to win every single day.