The all-time top try-scorer in Premiership Rugby history, Chris Ashton, has announced that he will retire at the conclusion of the 2022/23 season.
Ashton has scored 98 tries in the Premiership since switching from rugby league to union in 2007.
He played for Wigan Warriors between 2005 and 2007 before swapping codes to join Northampton Saints and has since played for Saracens, Toulon, Sale Sharks, Harlequins, Worcester Warriors and Leicester Tigers.
He has also represented England in both codes and played for the Barbarians.
The prolific try-scorer holds the record for the most tries in the Premiership (98) and Champions Cup (41).
He also set the record for the most tries scored in a single season of the Top 14, dotting down 24 times in 23 appearances for Toulon in the 2017/18 season.
Timing felt right
“I have just felt, this season, that my body is not able to do what I want it do anymore,” Ashton said in a Leicester Tigers statement announcing his retirement.
“I am still enjoying the game, enjoying being in and around the team and the game every day, but if I am not able to keep the standards that I expect of myself, then it is the right time for me to retire.
“I am content with the decision and, honestly, I definitely wouldn’t have been had I not been able to come to Leicester Tigers, get back into the game and finish my career on my terms.
“It is the right time for me, I know that, and I am happy in making this decision at this time.”
Ashton played 44 rugby union Tests for England, scoring 20 tries.
Rugby opened the world
Reflecting on his career, Ashton expressed his gratitude to what rugby has given him.
“I still can’t believe all that I have been able to do and all that rugby union has given me,” he said.
“This game has opened the world to me, taken me to places I never thought I would have been or experienced, and I am so grateful for that.
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“Playing for Wigan Warriors was my dream growing up; that was all I wanted to do, and I know rugby league would have given me so much too, but it is amazing to look back and see what I have been able to do because of both codes and the groups and places I have been a part of in my career.
“I am honoured to have done what I have done, for the clubs I have played for and to represent my country in two codes.”
Time at Leicester Tigers
During his career, Ashton won the Premiership on three occasions, a Challenge Cup and a Champions Cup.
His third Premiership title came with Leicester last season after joining the side midway through their campaign.
The move allowed Ashton to extend his career, something he thought he had done already.
“My time at Leicester Tigers gave me something I thought I might have lost, which was just to play the game again and play until I knew I could keep playing and contributing,” he explained.
“To be a part of this group, at this club, has been special. This is a unique group of players and unique environment, in the way that they are so resilient, want to do the hard work and have such a no-nonsense approach.
“I am grateful to have been able to experience this in my final years and to have been a part of this group of players and people at a club like Leicester Tigers.”
Chris Ashton’s career breakdown
Clubs
Wigan Warriors (2005–2007) – 52 appearances
Northampton Saints (2007–2012) – 110 appearances
Saracens (2012–2017) – 105 appearances
Toulon (2017–2018) – 30 appearances
Sale Sharks (2018–2020) – 32 appearances
Harlequins (2020–2021) – 7 appearances
Worcester Warriors (2021) – 4 appearances
Leicester Tigers (2021-present) – 25 appearances
International
England (2010–2019) – 44 appearances
Chris Ashton’s Premiership tries breakdown
33 – Northampton Saints
47 – Saracens
6 – Sale Sharks
2 – Harlequins
1 – Worcester Warriors
9 – Leicester Tigers