Former England wing Chris Ashton to retire from rugby at the end of the season

Former England wing Chris Ashton will retire at the end of the season, his club Leicester have announced.

Ashton is to call time on an 18-year career that began in rugby league and is set to finish at the Tigers, the Premiership side he joined midway through last season.

The 36-year-old will retire as the record try scorer in the Premiership (98) and Heineken Champions Cup (41).

"I've just felt, this season, that my body is not able to do what I want it do any more," Ashton said.

"I’m still enjoying the game, enjoying being in and around the team and the game every day, but if I’m not able to keep the standards that I expect of myself, then it’s the right time for me to retire.

"I’m content with the decision and, honestly, I definitely wouldn’t have been had I not been able to come to Leicester, get back into the game and finish my career on my terms.

"It’s the right time for me, I know that, and I’m happy in making this decision at this time."

The wing won three Premiership and two Champions Cup titles in his career, while he scored 20 tries in 44 England caps between 2010 and 2019.

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