Leicester Tigers’ outside-back Chris Ashton will retire at the end of the 2022/23 season, his club confirmed. The 36-year-old has made 25 appearances for Leicester so far after joining part of the way through last season, but has now decided to call time on his career.
Ad Ashton began his career in rugby league for Wigan Warriors in 2005, before making the switch to rugby union, where he played for Northampton Saints, Saracens, Toulon, Sale Sharks, Harlequins and Worcester Warriors, and played in both disciplines for England as well as the Barbarians.
PremiershipHassell-Collins to join Leicester Tigers as Brown signs new contract28/03/2023 AT 22:42 Ashton is the record Premiership try-scorer with 98, and in the Heineken Champions Cup with 41.
He has also won three Premierships, two Heineken Champions Cups and one European Challenge Cup. Ashton said: “I have just felt, this season, that my body is not able to do what I want it do anymore. “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.” He continued: “I still can’t believe all that I have been able to do and all that rugby union has given me.