Worcester Warriors have confirmed that they have parted company with ex-England winger Chris Ashton.
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
A report in The Rugby Paper suggests former England international will hang up his boots for good if he can’t find a new club following his departure.
Warriors said in a statement: “The daily commute from his home in Northampton had also proved challenging so the club and Ashton have agreed a release from his contract which was due to expire at the end of this season.”
After weeks of media speculation over his future, having been repeatedly “unavailable for selection” all season, Warriors now say Ashton has left “with immediate effect by mutual consent”.
The Mail Online even reported that ‘Legal procedures are underway and the 34-year-old’s contract with Warriors could be terminated after just three games for the struggling club.’
Ashton’s departure from Sixways comes less than a month after former Sale director of rugby Steve Diamond joined Warriors as their lead rugby consultant.
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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”
