Chris Ashton to retire from rugby at the end of Premiership season

The current Leicester Tigers winger has confirmed he will be bringing an 18-year career to end in the summer. 

Prior to joining Tigers, Ashton played for Wigan Warriors (rugby league) and Northampton Saints, Saracens, Toulon, Sale Sharks, Harlequins and Worcester Warriors (rugby union), as well as representing England in both codes and the Barbarians.

Chris Ashton made four appearances for Worcester Warriors, scoring one try (Image: JMP)

His Worcester career was, as he would admit, brief to say the least and he will most probably be remembered more for his red card against Northampton Saints in a drubbing at Sixways, which proved to be his last appearance.

He managed just four appearances in the blue and gold and scored just one try before being released early from his contract.

Chris Ashton scoring his one and only try in a Worcester shirt (Image: JMP)

One of the most prolific try-scorers in the history of rugby union, Ashton is the record try-scorer in the Gallagher Premiership (98) and Heineken Champions Cup (41) competitions.

To date, he has won three Premierships, two Heineken Champions Cups and one European Challenge Cup.

Discussing his decision to retire at the end of this season, 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."