Chris Ashton’s Leicester Tigers future decided once and for all

Sean Jansen, Kini Murimurivalu, Harry Simmons and Richard Wigglesworth will remain with the club beyond the current campaign after signing new deals.

Ashton joined Leicester on a short-term deal in February, and has since gone on to break the record for most tries scored in the Gallagher Premiership.

Despite interest from Newcastle and Wasps, the 35-year-old feels settled at Welford Road following a few turbulent years at Harlequins, Sale and Worcester

He has touched down six times in seven Premiership appearances for the table-topping Tigers so far.

The length of his new deal has not been disclosed.

Speaking about the new deals, Leicester Tigers Head Coach Steve Borthwick said: “It is great to be able to agree new deals with all of these players and have them recommit to Leicester Tigers.

“They have all been a part of these early stages in this journey and I am sure our supporters are pleased to see these new deals announced.

“We have made great strides in the past 18 months but still have a lot of growth in us and a lot of hard work ahead, which each of these players is committed to.

“It is fantastic that they will continue to be a part of what we are building at Leicester Tigers.”

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

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

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

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

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.