Ashton determined to end Saints career on a high
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CHRIS ASHTON says he will use England’s four remaining Six Nations games to prove his worth to Saints boss Jim Mallinder.
Ashton confirmed his decision to sign for Saracens last month and he was subsequently left out of the Northampton side to take on Munster.
Rumours of a training ground bust-up with Mallinder were rife and there were suggestions that the winger had played his last game for Saints.
But the 24-year-old, who helped England to a 13-6 win against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday evening, remains determined to end his career at Franklin’s Gardens on a high.
And he is now ready to do all he can for his country as he bids to persuade Mallinder to give him a reprieve at club level.
“I didn’t play the last game for Saints and now I’ve hopefully got four more chances to prove to Jim that I can play in Saints’ team and have an effect until the end of the season,” said Ashton.
“I told him that I’m completely committed until the end of the year. I want to win the Premiership with Northampton, there’s not one per cent lack of effort from me. Hopefully he’ll understand that and give me another chance.”
Ashton denies that his relationship with Mallinder has been irreparably tarnished and moved to play down the reported training ground incident.
“We’re fine, we’re okay,” said the Sarries-bound star. “It was just one day, a bit of miscommunication and I’ve got to understand where he’s coming from and his views.
“If he doesn’t want me to play then I’ve got to wait until he does. As long as I play well for England, hopefully I’ll have a chance at Northampton.”
Ashton joined Northampton from rugby league side Wigan Warriors in 2007 and has since gone on to great things at the Gardens.
He helped Saints win promotion back to the Premiership in 2008 before a European Challenge Cup triumph a year later was followed with an LV= Cup victory in 2010.
Ashton was a key figure in the run to the Heineken Cup final last season but he has yet to play in a Premiership final for Saints and that is something he’s desperate to rectify before leaving the club.
He said: “It would be great. We’ve not even been to the Premiership final, which is pretty hard to take.
“We got to the Heineken Cup last year only to lose in the final and that makes us more motivated.”
Meanwhile, Saints scrum-half Lee Dickson is expected to be sidelined for four weeks after fracturing a bone in his left hand during his Test debut as a replacement in the Calcutta Cup success.
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Comments
There are 2 comments to this article
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tony conran
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 09:02 PMMuch as I hate to say this, I totally agree with #1. His actions this season do not warrant his being recalled to the team but I'm sure he will be.
robbie malton
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 08:35 PMAll a question of opinion, but I for one hope he isn't given the chance. Imagine this :~ it's the last game of the regular season and a win for the Saints prevents Saracen's getting into the play-off's and therefore next season's Heineken Cup .....................
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