Ashton says Toulon move dampens 'burning desire' to play for England
Saracens wing Chris Ashton claims a move Toulon will go some way to extinguishing his "burning desire" to play for England.
The rugby league convert is to leave European and Premiership champions Sarries for a spell in the Top 14 at the end of the season.
Ashton's decision to move to France will prevent him from forcing his way back into the England squad due to the Rugby Football Union's policy of making overseas-based players ineligible for selection.
The 30-year-old flyer revealed he still craves a return to the international stage almost three years after winning the last of his 39 caps, but expects a switch to the three-time European champions to put a stop to that.
"I enjoy it here [at Saracens], but I always want to play for England and by going to France it took that out of the picture," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"It is hard to watch England, although now I have made my decision it is a lot easier.
"The burning desire is always there and always will be, it just changes its path slightly and going to France takes that away."
Ashton has been given lengthy bans after being found guilty of eye-gouging and biting in the last two years, punishments which he has mixed feelings over.
"I can't feel hard done by, well obviously I can, but I think that was the easy option," he said.
"I have put myself in those situations. It can look the way it looks because I have put myself in that place so there is definitely a responsibility on my side.
"Whether I agree with someone telling me I have done something or not is completely different."
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I’m looking forward to attending the Twickenham match, I don’t think it will have a bearing on the outcome of the grand prize itself but it will tell us more about each teams’ preparation and game plan. It’s hard to look past one of the big four (I’m including Canada) lifting the trophy in 2025 but sport is a curious thing, there will still be twists and turns in road ahead.
Go to commentsThe better side seems to be the losing side a lot these days. As far as narrative goes. Must be the big emergent culture of “participation awards” that have emerged in nanny states. ”It looked like New Zealand would take the game from there but lapses in execution let South Africa get back into the game. New Zealand’s goal kickers left five points out there, including a very make-able penalty on the stroke of half”. Sounds like a chronic problem… I wonder how the better team has lapses in concentration and execution? Or are those not important factors in the grand scheme of total performances? In 2023, the ABs at least didn’t give up a lead to lose. They just couldn’t execute to get the points and take the lead. This Baby AB result points to a choke - letting the game slip through your fingers. In the words of the great Ricky Bobby’s dad - “If you’re not 1st you’re last!” Loosely translated - if you didn’t win, you’re a loser.
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