Chris Ashton's rumoured landing spot

With Sale Sharks announcing the unexpected departure of Chris Ashton with immediate effect this morning, conjecture is mounting as to where the former England winger will land.

Ashton joined the Sharks in July 2018 after completing only one season at Toulon, his motivation to relaunch his England career and being closer to his family shaping his decision.

But the 32-year-old wing, who has 44 caps, is on the move again in the latest twist to a well-travelled club career.

“Sale and Chris have reached a mutual agreement regarding the termination of his Sale Sharks contract and he will leave the club immediately,” a Sharks statement read.

“Sale would like to thank Chris for his efforts while at the club and wish him and his family all the best for the future.”

The hot favourites to land Ashton are West London club Harlequins, who are said to be in the market for a winger on short notice.

Ashton also still owns the controversial property at the heart of the Saracens salary cap saga, so a move to back to the capital makes a certain amount of sense for the winger and his young family. The residence in Harpenden is valued at over £1,500,000.

Ironically, Ashton's rumoured move looks on the face of it like a reversal of the Marland Yarde transfer in 2017. Then it was Yarde who dramatically left the club to join Sale Sharks, again mid-season and with 'immediate effect'.

Ashton won the last of his 44 caps against France at Twickenham a year ago but has only been picked five times by Eddie Jones.

Press Association/additional reporting RugbyPass

WATCH: The guys round up all the Guinness Six Nations and Premiership action. They discuss the shenanigans at the breakdown in England v Ireland among others. We also hear from Brad Shields on his injury and his quest to get back into Eddie's England squad.