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Tom Varndell responds to Chris Ashton equalling his try scoring record

Tom Varndell tackles Chris Ashton /Getty

Former England winger Tom Varndell has responded to Chris Ashton equalling his Gallagher Premiership try-scoring record.

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Ashton score a 5-pointer in each half to equal Varndell’s long-standing record of 92 tries as Leicester Tigers secured their place in the top four with a major victory over Exeter Chiefs.

Varndell – who enjoyed stints at Wasps, Leicester Tigers, Bristol Bears, Scarlets and the South China Tigers – had held the record for years, but is now facing up to relinquishing it to Ashton, who is odds on now to exceed the record with plenty of the time left in the season for the arch finisher to notch up another five-pointer.

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Chris Ashton | Rugby Roots

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      Chris Ashton | Rugby Roots

      Should that happen, it would take Ashton to 93 tries, but from the looks of things, Varndell is resigned to losing his record and he’s taking it on the chin.

      “Congratulations Chris Ashton. I’m over the moon for you,” wrote Varndell on Twitter, before joking “absolutely ruined my Sunday. How could you do it on the day of rest.”

      England and Leicester Tigers prop Ellis Genge was quick to point out that Varndell’s Twitter bio needed updating. “Change your bio to joint top prem try scorer please Diesel.”

      In fact, Varndell told RugbyPass in 2020 that he reckoned Ashton would take the record off him.

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      “I’m very proud [of the record]. As a winger, your job is to score the try. Even scoring for Yorkshire was great, I love scoring tries. To have that record, I wanted to have that record and to finish my playing days as the holder of that record is brilliant. I don’t see it being around for much longer. Chris Ashton might pip it before the end of the next season, but it’s great to have and I will be kicking around the top ten for a few more years. It’s brilliant,” he said.

      And Varndell has a tip for those wanting to become top try-scorers. “Very simply, always put the ball down with two hands.

      “Always put it down, and never celebrate before you have scored. The number of times now I have seen a player celebrating before they have scored the try and they don’t score the try, and it always tends to be a crucial try. Make sure that ball is put down and make sure you don’t celebrate before. Poor old Stuart Hogg in the Six Nations is a prime example.

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      “There was one time (it happened to me). I was playing for Bath academy when I was 16 years old. I celebrated and I put the ball down with one hand. It was raining and I dropped the ball over the line. I didn’t play for Bath academy again.”

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      DarstedlyDan 1 hour ago
      New Zealanders may not understand, but in France Test rugby is the 'B movie'

      Italy have a top 14 issue too, that’s true. I doubt SA are overly pleased by that, although it’s countered somewhat by the fact they would expect to thrash them anyway, so perhaps are not that bothered.


      The BIL teams are (aside from Ireland) A/B teams - still with many A team players. I would rather the England team touring Argentina be playing the ABs than this French one.


      France could have reduced the complaints and the grounds for such if they had still picked the best team from those eligible/available. But they haven’t even done that. This, plus the playing of silly b@ggers with team selection over the three tests is just a big middle finger to the ABs and the NZ rugby public.


      One of the key reasons this is an issue is the revenue sharing one. Home teams keep the ticket revenues. If the July tours are devalued to development larks then the crowds will not show up (why go watch teams featuring names you’ve never heard of?). This costs the SH unions. The NH unions on the other hand get the advantage of bums on seats from full strength SH teams touring in November. If the NH doesn’t want to play ball by touring full strength, then pay up and share gate receipts. That would be fair, and would reduce the grounds for complaint from the south. This has been suggested, but the NH unions want their cake and eat it too. And now, apparently, we are not even allowed to complain about it?


      Finally - no one is expecting France to do things the way NZ or SA do. We oddly don’t really mind that it probably makes them less successful at RWC than they would otherwise have been. But a bit of willingness to find a solution other than “lump it, we’re French” would go a looonnng way.

      79 Go to comments
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