An ICON of English rugby | Chris Ashton | My Journey

With that blistering burst of pace and supreme attacking flair, Chris Ashton is widely considered as one of England Rugby's greatest-ever wingers.
But his journey - from Rugby League to joint-top try-scorer at the 2011 Rugby World Cup - was far from straightforward. This is the story of a true icon of English rugby.
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[@GlynBartlett]

Outstanding player

[@StanWilks]

That quartet of tries against Italy in 2011. My favourite rugby memory.

[@dulls8475]

Icon has a new low I see. Great player but not that great. He was better than me anyway.

[@jeremymerrifield7244]

I was better in defence i think .... Just

[@martinluke9470]

Not an icon in my opinion. He famously stated he was there waiting out there on the wing just to run the ball in for a try or words to that effect. Not a team player.by any means. Thought he was clever 'swallow diving' over the line for tries.Talented yes, but not an icon.

[@jeremymerrifield7244]

Some on the comments by his club team mates made this clear as well

[@ac2244]

Your mum was good SWALLOW diving too.

[@bigowl2542]

I just wanted to counter your opinion a little bit. Firstly Ashton is the record holding try scorer in the Premiership also holds the record for most tries in a single European campaign. Secondly Ashton was one of the fittest men rugby has seen. At Saracens this man was putting up crazy running number stats no one could keep up with him. Ashton was a typical winger liked to hug the sides and score but his strengths came on his ability to track the ball on the break. If someone made a line break no matter where in the pitch Ashton would be there to finish it and he finished them more often then not. Top try scoring player in the Premiership is iconic. His name is in the history books.

[@gavinbrennan5023]

Icon and you picked him less than 50 times …

[@fredsprague2032]

He may have wanted to go back to Rugby League at the time, but, as I recall, he wasn't really in demand. He washed out of Wigan, mainly because he was a one dimensional player. You often need to be more well rounded to play top class league.

[@troyke3]

When rugby was rugby

[@lost_boy]

It still is?

[@StanWilks]

If @troyke3 is referring to rugby being much faster back then, he's absolutely right.

[@lost_boy]

@@StanWilks do you mean as in the pace of the game, rather than the pace of the players?

[@christianwithers7335]

Fewer drawn out set plays, and kick tennis

[@lost_boy]

@@christianwithers7335 I don't get the hate aimed at "kick tennis" - the kicking game is integral to the way modern teams play, and it's a real art form when it's executed well.

[@jeremymerrifield7244]

Overrated and refused to tackle and defend

[@ac2244]

Well done Jeremy. Great comment. He’d fold you up in two seconds you soft melt 😂