Chris Ashton could join record-breaking SEVENTH Premiership club this summer

Wednesday, 11 May 2022 at 21:38

byRugby Rucker

It's been reported today that Chris Ashton could join a record-equalling SEVENTH Premiership club this summer when his contract with Leicester Tigers expires.

Keen to carry on, he is thought to be attracting interest from Newcastle Falcons and Wasps according to RUCK sources.

OTHER PREMIERSHIP JOURNEYMEN:

Over the years, so-called rugby journeymen have received an almost cult status among fans.

We all know ’em, we all love ’em.

So let’s take a look at some of the greatest mercenaries to hop from club-to-club:

Andy Goode – 6 (Leicester Tigers, Saracens, Worcester Warriors, Wasps, London Irish, Newcastle Falcons)
Ryan Lamb - 5 (Gloucester, London Irish, Northampton Saints, Leicester Tigers, Worcester Warriors)
Peter Stringer - 5 (Saracens, Newcastle Falcons, Bath, Sale Sharks, Worcester Warriors)
Adam Balding - 6 (Leicester Tigers, Gloucester Rugby, Yorkshire Carnegie, Newcastle Falcons, Worcester Warriors, London Welsh)
Andy Gomarsall - 7 (Wasps, Bath, Bedford Blues, Gloucester, Worcester, Harlequins, Yorkshire Carnegie)
Tom Arscott - 5 (Bristol, Worcester Warriors, London Welsh, Sale Sharks, Newcastle Falcons)

Chris Ashton ranks his three toughest opponents

You can read Ashton's column in full and much more on , the new website dedicated to high-end, long-form rugby content.

TheXV.rugby

DID YOU KNOW? Ashton played a single season in the Top 14, scoring 24 tries in 23 appearances to break the tryscoring record previously held by Napolioni Nalaga

#3. Bryan Habana (South Africa)

Ashton said: “I faced some good boys in my time with England. Internationally Bryan Habana was just electric. He had a brilliant rugby brain, which is why he got so many turnovers and intercepts. It seemed like the game came too easily to him. Whatever he did, he did it so efficiently and fast it was hard to get an edge on him. He wasn’t really a stepper but he could change direction fast, like a computer game."

DID YOU KNOW? During the 2015 Rugby World Cup Habana equalled Lomu's career record of 15 tries in World Cups

#2. Vincent Clerc (France)

Ashton said: "We were on different sides but we sized each other up across the pitch like boxers. We were very similar players in that he’d pop up everywhere – he didn’t just stick to his wing. There was a mutual respect, so I’m glad I met him at Toulon. He’s such a nice fella and would always want to talk about the game. If I’m honest, I’m actually pretty jealous he scored 100 tries in the Top14.”

DID YOU KNOW? Whilst at Toulouse Clerc won the Heineken Cup three times in 2003, 2005 and 2010

#1. Julian Savea (New Zealand)

Ashton said: “If you asked me the toughest wing I ever faced, I’d have no hesitation in saying Julian Savea. I felt like he scored a hat-trick against me every time I played him. He was unbelievable. You’d hit him as hard as possible but his hip-strength was freakish, you just couldn’t understand how he could still be driving his legs.

“Clearly he was in a side that gave him a lot of space but once he had it, you weren’t stopping him. I felt like I was goalkeeping against him. I didn’t feel comfortable. At all.”

DID YOU KNOW? Savea was nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year in 2014 and 2015, winning the award for Try of the Year in 2015.