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Toulon line up All Black as Chris Ashton speculation ramps up - reports
By Online Editors
Toulon are on the verge of signing All Blacks winger Julian Savea according to reports in France.
The 27-year-old has dropped down the pecking order with Steve Hansen's side despite his remarkable strike record with New Zealand, having notched up 46 tries in just 54 Tests since his debut in 2012.
Last October Savea was linked to a short-term move to Harlequins, something which was robustly denied by his wife at the time.
Savea has not played for the All Blacks since July 2017, but Steve Hansen has previously stated that the Hurricanes winger is still under consideration.
“Julian’s been a very, very good All Black for us and done some great things – I feel for him a wee bit at this stage,” Hansen said.
“He’s disappointed and so he should be. He’s done a lot in the jersey, he’s enhanced it when he’s worn it and his time’s not over.”
But if this move to Europe is confirmed the 1.92m 108kg winger could be in line to replace Chris Ashton.
The England winger has reportedly told the French Top 14 club that he wants to leave, just a year into his three-year contract.
RugbyPass understands that Sale are leading the chase to sign Ashton.
Speaking before he played for the Barbarians Ashton told RugbyPass that he was “out of the loop completely” when it came to any consideration for a next England cap under Eddie Jones.
Video: Chris Ashton speaks to RugbyPass
Ashton said, “I was always battling to try and get back in while I was here, that’s why I took the decision to go [to France] but I’d like to think the door’s never shut and if I wanted to come back to England, I’d be able to have a shot at it. I like to think it’s not over, I’ve only just turned 31 so there’s time left yet.”
Ashton last played for England in June 2014 against New Zealand in Hamilton but certainly caught the eye in a three-try performance at Twickenham last month when the Baabaas beat England 63-45.
The former Northampton and Saracens winger also dazzled in the Top 14, breaking the try scoring record, crossing the whitewash 24 times. But being based in France rules him out of international contention and it appears that 31-year-old Ashton wants to attempt a late dash to make England's World Cup squad.
It will also put a host of Premiership clubs on high alert to have such a potent winger available to sign.
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Latest Comments
There is nothing particularly significant about Ireland in this regard compared to other Tier 1 nations. To look at 'strategy' for illegal play its best to see what teams push boundaries with new laws. SA have milked two tries at ruck block downs. The strategy is to charge the first few before the ball is out at about 4 seconds but pull out and put up hands in reigned apology. The referees usually allow the scum half to clear without awarding a penalty in this scenario. The problem with that being that the scrumhalf is now taking over 5 seconds through no fault of his own. Having achieved a few slow balls > 5s , the SA forward can now pick a scrum to charge dead on 5s. Now if the scrum half waits, he will concede a penalty, as we saw against Scotland. With the new rule in place, any early charge should result in an immediate penalty.
SA also got an offside block against England which was pivotal again after a couple of 'apologetic' offside aborted charges forcing England to clear slowly.
Go to commentsYep, you're not the sharpest tool in the shed are you?
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