Chris Ashton will retire at the conclusion of the 2022/23 season after an 18-year career as a professional in both rugby union and rugby league.
The Leicester Tigers outside-back has, to date, made 25 appearances for the club after joining midway through the 2021/22 campaign.
Prior to joining Tigers, Ashton played for Wigan Warriors (rugby league) and Northampton Saints, Saracens, Toulon, Sale Sharks, Harlequins and Worcester Warriors (rugby union), as well as representing England in both codes and the Barbarians.
One of the most prolific try-scorers in the history of rugby union, Ashton is the record try-scorer in the Gallagher Premiership (98) and Heineken Champions Cup (41) competitions.
Discussing his decision to retire at the end of this season, Ashton said: “I have just felt, this season, that my body is not able to do what I want it do anymore.”
“I am still enjoying the game, enjoying being in and around the team and the game every day, but if I am not able to keep the standards that I expect of myself, then it is the right time for me to retire.
“I am content with the decision and, honestly, I definitely wouldn’t have been had I not been able to come to Leicester Tigers, get back into the game and finish my career on my terms.
“It is the right time for me, I know that, and I am happy in making this decision at this time.”
Looking back on his decorated career, Ashton said: “I still can’t believe all that I have been able to do and all that rugby union has given me.”
“This game has opened the world to me, taken me to places I never thought I would have been or experienced, and I am so grateful for that.
“Playing for Wigan Warriors was my dream growing up, that was all I wanted to do, and I know rugby league would have given me so much too, but it is amazing to look back and see what I have been able to do because of both codes and the groups and places I have been a part of in my career.
“I am honoured to have done what I have done, for the clubs I have played for and to represent my country in two codes.”
Chris Ashton ranks his three toughest opponents
You can read Ashton’s column in full and much more on TheXV.rugby, 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
#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
