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Mon 29 Jun 2015 | 09:08
Top interview with 'arrogant' Chris Ashton upon his return to the England squad

11
Comments

Saracens winger Chris Ashton sits down with Nick Heath to discuss taking his opportunity with England, how he's perceived by the fans, his young teammate Maro Itoje and what it will take for England to get the mental edge at the upcoming Rugby World Cup.

On his perceived arrogance in some quarters, particularly around the 'Ash Splash' dive when scoring tries, Ashton says that everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

"There's nothing I can do to alter that perception really. I enjoy scoring tries and if that offends people, me diving over the line, then that is their decision."

View more clips from Ashton's colourful career so far in the Related Posts below

Thanks to Nick from Rugby Media for the insightful chat

Posted By: Grant Constable

11 Comments

  • oliver
    2:48 PM 05/07/2015

    Deal!

  • danknapp
    8:29 AM 04/07/2015

    Only if you keep Huget in the team.

  • drg
    8:26 PM 03/07/2015

    I hope that Ashton doesn't do a Hartley - "I'm all mature now......*headbutt* not really"

  • drg
    8:24 PM 03/07/2015

    yeh, he's a bully...

  • jimmy23
    10:01 AM 03/07/2015

    Don't forget Courtney Lawes ;)

  • oliver
    9:57 AM 03/07/2015

    Please keep Farrell and Ashton in the England squad so I can keep on disliking the team, as tradition dictates. Thank you.

  • kadova
    10:59 PM 02/07/2015

    It's clear he's far wiser than before, maturity surely. And being out of the national team made him think. That;s a great improvement from the Ashton i discovered at his beginnings in an England jersey.

  • drg
    7:53 PM 02/07/2015

    I was firmly aboard the Ashton bandwagon, but I honestly feel that since his fall from grace (or fall from the England scene) he has become wiser.

    He sounds calm, relaxed and focussed. Whether or not he is the right guy for the England team is another matter, I'd rather Nowell over Ashton starting, however if Ashton can explode onto the scene later in a game to help clinch close results then all the power to him.

    I think if he remains focussed on the game, ignores the niggly dickery that he has found himself in, then he'll find his feet.

    I think Owen Farrell is another in a similar position, the guy had talent but his misbehaviour isn't acceptable. He needs to calm his head and become humble and from there his trophy cabinet will do the speaking.

  • benny
    10:23 AM 02/07/2015

    The trouble I have with his dive is that it just looks ridiculous. If he had some grace or got some air like Rokocoko or could do a flip or cart wheel or whatever like Cooper, or a hillarious dance like Cipriani once in a while, well, sure, no problem. But the dive looks like some uncoordinated fat kid scoring a try for the first time.

    An example of why I don't like him - he did (perhaps only a mini version of) the dive scoring a losing try in the 80th minute of a test vs NZ last year. For what purpose? I cringe every time I see it.

  • stroudos
    12:10 AM 02/07/2015

    Couldn't agree more on Rokoduguni mate. I get the feeling Bomber doesn't rate him for some reason. Hopefully he's just keeping his cards close to his chest.

  • jimmy23
    7:40 PM 01/07/2015

    If Ashton was scoring tries like he was earlier in his career, I'd wouldn't mind him being in the squad as he was averaging about a try per game. However he hasn't been anything like that for a long time, and when he's not scoring tries he's rather anonymous. You need wingers than can create opportunities as well as finish in international rugby, and Ashton rarely creates.

    I think Rokoduguni is essential, especially in defence. Physically, he's the only one I can see with a realistic chance of dealing with the likes of Savea, Nadolo, Naholo etc...

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