NIK SIMON’S GAIN LINE: Chris Ashton’s playing career placed in doubt as his contract with Worcester could be terminated after just three games following alleged bust-up with management
- Chris Ashton’s Worcester contract could be terminated after just three games
- The 34-year-old had alleged bust-up with the management of his latest club
- England have lent Tonga two members of staff ahead of game at Twickenham
Chris Ashton’s playing career is in doubt after the ex-England wing had an alleged bust-up with the management of his latest club, Worcester.
Legal procedures are underway and the 34-year-old’s contract with Warriors could be terminated after just three games for the struggling club.
The former Northampton, Saracens and Toulon player who scored 100 points in a 44-cap international career, has struggled to settle recently, having played for Sale, Harlequins and Worcester the last 18 months.
Chris Ashton’s career is in doubt after alleged bust-up with the management at Worcester
The 34-year-old’s contract could be terminated after just three games with the club
Worcester have lost five games in a row and changes at the top are likely if results do not improve, with director of rugby Alan Solomons out of contract next summer.
England lend Tonga two members of staff
England have offered a helping hand to Tonga by lending two members of staff ahead of next week’s game at Twickenham. Under-20s analyst Tom Mitchell and operations manager Alice Sheffield have both joined up with the touring squad.
Tonga have been given a chartered flight for Sunday’s journey from Edinburgh to London to minimise the risk of Covid transmission.
Legal eagle flies in to help Erasmus
Rassie Erasmus’s lawyer joined South Africa’s bubble at the team hotel in Paris this weekend for the director of rugby’s disciplinary hearing. Erasmus was charged with misconduct by World Rugby after his video rant following the first Lions Test.
Frikkie Erasmus (no relation) flew in from South Africa for the remote hearing, which is at its half-way point after the disciplinary panel worked through the night yesterday because of time differences.
Two of the panel, Nigel Hampton QC and Judge Mike Mika, are based in New Zealand, where the trial ran into the morning.
Rassie Erasmus’ lawyer joined South Africa’s bubble at the team hotel in Paris this weekend
Louis Rees-Zammit’s brother makes debut for Malta
Louis Rees-Zammit’s older brother made his international debut yesterday — for Malta. Taylor Rees-Zammit, 25, plays for amateur club Llandaff. He qualified for Malta through a grandfather and started at openside flanker against Slovenia at the Oval Ljubljana.
Well, hello Dolly!
Tom Curry was reunited with his old housemate Nic Dolly during this week’s England camp in Jersey. Hooker Dolly used to lodge in Curry’s spare room in Manchester, where they were team-mates at Sale.
Dolly was eventually released by the club but has since enjoyed a remarkable rise via Coventry and Leicester. Curry said: ‘He lived with my brother and it’s pretty special to see a journey like that come to fruition.’
Tom Curry (left) was reunited with his old housemate Nic Dolly (right) at this week’s England camp
James O’Connor lined up for Barbarians
Wallabies play-maker James O’Connor is being lined up to replace Quade Cooper in the Barbarians squad next month.
The invitational side announced Cooper prematurely, before the No10 decided to stay put in Japan rather than join Australia’s European tour
James O’Connor is being lined up to replace Quade Cooper in the Barbarians squad
Evans back on the run
One unintended consequence of Harlequins scrapping captain’s runs was that coach Nick Evans was able to travel to Wales on Saturday to be a part of a TV punditry panel.
Evans was back in London in time for Sunday’s derby against Saracens.