Chris Ashton

Christopher John Ashton (born 29 March 1987) is a retired English rugby union and former rugby league footballer, one of the few players who have represented England in both rugby codes. Ashton primarily played wing and secondarily played fullback. Ashton first played as a fullback or wing for Wigan Warriors in rugby league's Super League competition and won four caps for England in 2006 and 2007. In 2007 Ashton signed for Northampton Saints in rugby union's Premiership, before moving to Saracens in 2012, Toulon in 2017, Sale in 2018 and Harlequins in 2020; he finished his career at Leicester Tigers in 2023. He made his debut for England in March 2010 and played regularly until 2014, including in the 2011 Rugby World Cup where he finished as the tournament's joint leading try-scorer. After a break of four years, he was recalled to the England squad in November 2018. In April 2022 he became the record try scorer in Premiership Rugby after scoring a hat trick against Bristol to take him to 95 tries, in April 2023 he became the first player to 100 tries after another hat trick against Exeter Chiefs. In all Ashton won 40 caps for England.