Former England winger Chris Ashton has been linked with a shock return to Sale Sharks.
The former Northampton, Saracens and Toulon player who scored 100 points in a 44-cap international career, has struggled to settle recently, having played for Sale, Harlequins and Worcester the last 18 months
He hurriedly exited the North West in February 2020 following an alleged falling out with then Director of Rugby Steve Diamond over the Sharks’ style of play.
A stint at Harlequins followed before he recently joined Worcester Warriors, which also looks like it will come to a premature end.
“I spoke to Ashy,” revealed Sale boss Alex Sanderson to RugbyPass.
“and I know this in good faith because he still lives near St Albans, he drives past the Saracens training ground and rings up Joe Shaw and asks, ‘Do you want me to pull in?’ And they are like, ‘No Ashy, we’re alright, keep driving’.
“I don’t think we are the only club he has been knocking the door on. I’d love to see his career finish off well, I do. I like the man but at the moment our books are full, at the moment I have to close the door.”
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“Couldn’t tackle a crossword” – Fans Pick The Most Over-Hyped XV Of All-Time
Check out the full selection below.
Back-Three:
- 15. Johan Goosen (South Africa) – “He was supposed to be the next big thing for Springbok rugby, and now he’s barely remembered.”
- 14. George North (Wales) – “is the most overrated player of this generation, when was the last time he had a good game that wasn’t against Italy.”
- 11. Chris Ashton (England) – ” That man lived off his ‘solo’ try against Australia and managed to get in the England team every time. He couldn’t tackle a crossword! Lacks creativity and only works running a line of a short pass from number ten. Overrated definitely!”
Centres:
- 13. Kurtley Beale (Australia) – “He spends all game looking for line breaks, which will work some days and destroys our backline chemistry on others. He needs to learn how to play with others.”
- 12. Gavin Henson (Wales) – “one kick and one big tackle and everyone thought he was the bees knees for the next few years”
