sport news How Leicester Tigers have got Chris Ashton roaring again ahead of Leinster clash

sport news How Leicester Tigers have got Chris Ashton roaring again ahead of Leinster clash
sport news How Leicester Tigers have got Chris Ashton roaring again ahead of Leinster clash

Chris Ashton has been acclaimed for the 'unbelievable' try-scoring knack which has allowed him to revive his career at Leicester - and add to his personal haul of record-breaking feats.

Last weekend, the 35-year-old, cross-code wing scored a stunning hat-trick for the Tigers against Bristol, to surge ahead of Tom Varndell as the Premiership's all-time top finisher - with 95 tries. 

He has his sights set on reaching a century, but first Ashton will hope to be in the match-day squad to face mighty Leinster at Welford Road on Saturday evening. If he does play against the Irish province, it will be an opportunity to enhance his European scoring record; another distinction on his CV.

Veteran wing Chris Ashton has been a man reborn since joining Leicester Tigers in February

Veteran wing Chris Ashton has been a man reborn since joining Leicester Tigers in February

That momentous quarter-final of the Heineken Champions Cup is just the sort of grand occasion which he must have feared he would never take part in again, after being released last December by Worcester. Ashton's brief, ill-fated stint at Sixways followed similarly troubled spells at Harlequins and Sale. He appeared to be fading towards retirement, but Leicester offered him a shot and he has responded with a reminder of his enduring, predatory class.

His impact has provided a boost to the Tigers, as they chase domestic and continental honours. Their England scrum-half Ben Youngs paid tribute to Ashton - a long-time team-mate at international level - saying: 'He's gone through a fair few clubs, but he's come here and settled in. He's worked hard, he's never given up in terms of what he wants and his standards have never dropped.

'I tip my hat to him, he has an unbelievable knack of scoring tries. He's very much like Jonny May; they just know how to score tries. Sometimes they score when there's no right to do it, they just find a way.'

Against Bristol, Ashton's long-range strike to clinch his hat-trick perfectly showcased his awareness, instinctive support play and eye for an opening. 

Youngs provided the assist and he added: 'With Chris, you just know he's going to be around you. As soon as I got the ball (in the Bristol game), I just knew he was going to be there - it was just about whether he went left or right. Compliments to him, it's an incredible

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