1
Leicester reveal decision on Chris Ashton red card hearing approach
By PA
Leicester are ready to contest Chris Ashton’s red card that could rule him out of Tigers’ Gallagher Premiership playoff clash against Sale. The 36-year-old former England wing was sent off for a high tackle on Harlequins’ Cadan Murley during Leicester’s 20-17 defeat last Saturday.
Ashton, the Premiership’s record try-scorer, will retire at the end of this season, but he could now be banned by disciplinary chiefs. If Ashton is suspended then his hopes of featuring in the play-off – and possibly the Premiership final on May 27 – will be over.
“When we get the date of the hearing, which I would have thought would be Wednesday, we will contest it,” Leicester boss Richard Wigglesworth said. “It will be this week and if we get it turned around he will be available (for the playoff).
“The slipping and the dipping, there were mitigating factors in the tackle and the mitigating factors are why we think it is a yellow (card) and not a red. I am not calling anything dodgy. I know they have got a difficult job. We just want everything to be clear and obvious.
“If it is a high level of force and danger, then the red card is there to protect players. They have got to get it right, that is their job. We have got to get our tactics right, the players have got to get themselves right and they have got to get those decisions right.”
Wigglesworth would have no problem, given the time frame, regarding Ashton’s readiness to face Sale on Sunday if he received a green light. “Chris will know his stuff and be good to go,” Wigglesworth added. “He is experienced and he will still have a training day knowing he is in the starting team if that happens, so that wouldn’t be a problem for us.”
Premiership champions Leicester face a team that finished one place and 10 points above them across the 20-game regular season. Saracens meet Northampton in the other play-off, meaning a repeat of last year’s final between Leicester and Saracens is possible.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Bath Rugby turnover breaks £20m but losses increase
3
Gloucester Rugby accounts reveal £3 million drop in turnover
4
Exeter Chiefs close to revealing new attack and backs coach
5
Latest Comments
My worry for Lancaste is he’d start off behind the 8 ball before coaching a single match due to the 2015 World Cup which is unfair as he no doubt has improved since then but that’s what people here, rugby folk or not, will associate him with and not the success at Leinster.
Go to commentsI’d probably agree this is a tour too early but Lions do have a rich history of capping bolters and Pollock isnt as far behind as many say. I think you under-estimate his jackle work as he has a great turnover rate at club level and even at England A, he even got one against Wales
Fact is the nature of the game is changing and fast lighter backrows becoming more and more common as ball in play times go up and teams look to play wider. He is faces a challenge to make the initial squad but he is definately part of the conversation
Go to comments