Chris Ashton, the seasoned Leicester Tigers winger, etched his name in the annals of Premiership rugby history as he became the first player to score 100 tries in the league.
The winger achieved this milestone during a scintillating performance that saw the Tigers demolish 14-man Exeter Chiefs in a 62-12 win at Welford Road.
Ashton, who has announced his retirement at the end of the season, marked the occasion with a hat-trick of tries, showcasing his incredible skill and experience on the field. The match also saw Exeter Chiefs concede their highest points tally in a top-flight fixture, adding to the significance of the occasion.
The game took a controversial turn in the second half when Exeter’s Olly Woodburn received two yellow cards in quick succession and was shown the red card, leaving his team with 14 players on the field.
The second yellow card, in particular, has caused quite a stir online, as Woodburn was penalized for what appeared to be a routine last-ditch tackle.
Referee Karl Dickson adjudged Woodburn to have dived on Ashton on the ground in an unnecessary incident that prevented Ashton from scoring. This decision left Exeter Chiefs with a numerical disadvantage and further fueled the Tigers’ dominant performance.
. Winger Jack Nowell took to social media to comment: “I’m actually in shock, like shock shocked. What the hell is happening? That’s one of the worst decisions I’ve ever seen. EVER.”
Fellow England international Henry Slade wrote: “ I have no words. Mental.”
EXETER SIGN THREE FOR NEXT SEASON:
Check out their new signings below:
#1. Will Haydon-Wood
Heading to Sandy Park ahead of the 2023/24 season is former Newcastle Falcons and Wasps fly-half, Will Haydon-Wood, who will join the Gallagher Premiership club from French Pro D2 side, Massy Esonne.
The 22-year-old playmaker is no strange to English rugby’s top-flight and his addition is another boost for the Chiefs, who have already confirmed the arrivals of Joe Hawkins and Ethan Roots from the Ospreys.
“It’s a really exciting move for me,” said the former England Under-20s international. “Obviously, I’ve come up against the Chiefs in the past and I know how much of a force they have become, not just within the English game, but also across Europe as well.
“Talking with Rob [Baxter] he’s outlined the vision of the club and how they are in the process of building a new and exciting, young squad. Listening to what he had to say and with the players they have at the club, it was a pretty easy decision in the end.”
Having started this season at Wasps following a number of years at the Falcons, Haydon-Wood was forced to look for new employment last October when the Midlands club were forced to withdraw from all competitions following the collapse of the former English and European champions.