crunchfit says...

@craigsman

It's not really just having banter. In the first incident, Ashton is not involved, but goes over, shoves him, and keeps talking when Bobo is walking away. And notice when he scores the try at the end, he is celebrating with his teammates, but he sees Bobo, leaves his teammates (1.58 in the video) and goes over to taunt him. The game was over and won - there was no need for what Ashton did. Bobo had the right idea - walk away, bide your time and smash the guy when you get your chance.

I'm very much in favor of winding up your opponent, but not in this way. Anyway, you're right it's not the worst behaviour by a rugby player and it isn't the worst of Ashton's behaviour, it's just it was on Youtube. I'd consider dragging a man on his hands and knees by his hair pretty low though. And what he did to the Leicester players was bad too. I wouldn't call any of that banter.

Posted 15:52 01st January 2012

papachinzo says...

"90 tries for saints" ?? that has to be a record!!

In all fairness, you can't really blame him for wanting to go to a winning side...

Posted 17:31 31st December 2011

crunchfit says...

@sirtidychris

Watch more of Ashton. It isn't just confidence. It is pettiness, childishness, completely unnecessary levels of disrespect, big headedness, overconfidence, etc. That is not what a young star needs. I use the word "star" because of the way he has been made out by English media.

Did you see the incident vs. Leicester where two Leicester players were on the ground and Ashton started jumping, punching the air and shouting at their faces?

Did you see the Tuilagi hair pulling incident?

Did you see this?: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyJ74L1GPU4

There have been a lot more incidents, usually minor though but they are still reflective of his attitude, but those are just a few up there.

Posted 04:31 31st December 2011

lawynd says...

@sirtidychris - there's a whole world of difference between having 'a bit of personality' and being an arrogant, petulant child that pulls hair. It might be a different story if he was the best winger in the world, but he isn't; I'd take several other players, some of them English, ahead of him at the moment. I don't expect players to live like monks but I, and we, should expect them to not pull hair, not make lewd suggestions to women that don't welcome the attention and above all, actually play for the team, not for themselves. Ashton currently doesn't tick any of the required boxes.

Posted 22:25 30th December 2011

Rosbif says...

Hmmm. In the same week as Jauzion and Poitrenaud stay at Toulouse to play with Medard and Clerc for a 12th? year.... Ashton should ask Beckham how he feels when he sees Giggs and Scholes still at United, revered by fans, grand old men of the club. And still pretty well-off too. Yes, money is part of life. But beyond a certain amount (and all these top players earn plenty to get by) feeling "valued" is not about the money.

Worse-case scenario for the man? He leaves Saints this summer. Switches clubs a few more times in next 3 years. Sadly, never regains his early pomp. Loses favour with England set-up. Moves to Super Rugby for a few seasons with Cipriani and Henson, maybe for one of the new Argentine franchises. Gets rich in the process. Comes back to UK for one last season in league where his tired body gets smashed. Is not remembered much in 10 years time in rugby circles. Does not become a Damian Hopley or a Sky commentator! Roll-on 2020 and we might see him on Strictly, or in the jungle with Ant & Dec who are still together after all these years.....raking in the readies....

Posted 17:42 30th December 2011

crunchfit says...

I think this comment says it all really:

"We'll shake their hand and we'll get players who want to play for Northampton."

Obviously, things are not well between Ashton and Northampton.

Posted 14:42 30th December 2011

crunchfit says...

@sirtidychris

He isn't one of the best. Examples as to why can be found in this thread and in the recent match reviews (just before Ashton was banned). His attitude, defensive ability, tries he has cost his team that your average winger would stop, etc. are all discussed there. And those try scoring stats are very misleading (and he was top try scorer last year in the 6N, not overall). You need to check who he scored against and the teams he didn't. It is very telling.

If he fixes his attitude and defense, he could be the best winger in the world. But right now, he's not even close.

Posted 14:41 30th December 2011

sirtidychris says...

Chris Ashton is one of the best wingers in the world, breaking the national league division one try scoring record, premiership player of the season in 09/10, equal all time six nations try scorer, equal highest try scorer in this years RWC (in a team that never got going). People dislike ashton and try say he isn't that good but he has an ability to score tries like no one else.

Now the fact that he wants to move clubs will be used as a stick to beat him with however he is a professional sportsman with about 7 years left to make as much money to set himself up for the rest of his life. He wasn't a northampton academy player he was a league boy with Wigan... although he owes the club for developing him, they owe him for all the tries he's scored. If you get offered a great job for a top company with much better pay you would be a fool not to take it...especially if your young and its near to a place as diverse and exciting as London.

Posted 10:30 30th December 2011

neXus6 says...

Jediboy is right. Recent Ashton foul ups include

- feeble effort to stop Clerc scoring in RWC 1/4 which was a major contribution towards Eng's demise

- knocking ball on versus Scarlets in HEC and then simply standing around and admiring as Priestland scored the try that effectively ended Saints' campaign

- more 3rd rate defending as Smith runs over him to score a try for Tigers

Showpony dives begin to look pretty dumb when you commit so many howlers elsewhere.

Posted 09:10 30th December 2011

Jediboy says...

I'm a Saints fan and despite his try scoring abilities I won't be sorry of he goes.

I think the 'fame' has gone to his head and he's getting into the mindset that he's bigger than the club. No player is bigger than the club.

No doubt he's a fantastic try scorer, but his defence is weak and his attitude poor when things don't go his way.

With the likes of Artymiev and Elliot Saints have some good new wingers. So I think Saints will do fine without Ashton.

I hope that wherever he goes he sorts out his defence and improves his overall attitude, but I won't miss him.

Posted 08:32 30th December 2011