Chris Ashton splashed his way into the Premiership Rugby record books this past weekend, as his hat-trick of tries against Exeter Chiefs took the winger past the previously unbreakable 100 try milestone.
Ashton scored his 99th, 100th and 101st Premiership try in Leicester’s 62-19 landslide win, and became the first player in Premiership rugby history to score a centurion of tries. The timing could not have been more poetic for Ashton, as the 36-year-old had announced his intentions to retire from rugby come the end of the season.
Ashton is considered to be arguably the best try-scorer of his generation, having scored a total of 164 tries in all club competitions, and a further 20 tries for England; wherever Ashton went, he was able to find the try-line. His decorated career saw Ashton make a cross code change from Rugby League, as the Northerner enjoyed a three-year stint with Wigan Warriors in the Super League from 2005 to 2007.
He jumped ship to Rugby Union ahead of the 2007/08 National Division One season, and helped Northampton Saints re-claim their place in the Premiership with an astounding 39 tries in 25 games. After winning the Anglo-Welsh Cup, and European Challenge Cup with Saints, Ashton looked for pastures new, and joined Saracens in 2012. Ashton won the Premiership and Champions Cup twice each with Sarries, before he made the move overseas and signed for Toulon in 2016.
Yet Ashton’s heart remained in the Premiership, and was back before too long, with his move to Sale Sharks in 2018. Ashton then moved on to Harlequins, Worcester Warriors and finally Leicester Tigers, with whom he broke the illustrious try-scoring record. So out of the 184 professional rugby union tries to pick from, here are five of Ashton’s best.
- England vs Australia, 2010 Autumn Series
England are defending for their lives. Trying to keep hold of a narrow lead, the Wallabies have England pinned back on their own try-line. But the ball breaks free, and Chris Ashton pins back his ears and thinks “I’ll do it myself.”
One of the all-time great counter-attack tries, and one of the most memorable scores ever at Twickenham Stadium, Ashton starts of his top 5 list with a certifiable cracker.
An amazing solo effort, Ashton explodes along the right wing, and cuts inside to take on the Australian fullback. He evades him with ease, and points to the Twickenham crowd before diving under the posts. Phenomenal.