Chris Ashton hasn’t always shown the fancy kicking that helped Toulon secure a bonus-enhanced victory over Bordeaux-Begles yesterday.
In fact, the last time he played full-back there, he gifted a Champions Cup try to Bath with a horribly-skewed attempted clearance in early December.
Now Toulon fans are thrilled to bits to see his talented boots in action when taking up that position for the first time since the unhappy fiasco.
Not exactly Cristiano Ronaldo, but, all the same, a deft chip from the turf bamboozled Bordeaux and allowed Ashton to sprint 25 metres to register his 14th try in the Top 14 this season.
He maintained his lead over all other championship try-scorers during a 3612 win that opened a significant gap ahead of Bordeaux, who had trailed them by just one point.
Ashton, criticised by Saracens for leaving them, has become a crowd favourite and, with backs like ex-All Black Ma’ Nonu and powerful Fijians Josua Tuisove and Semi Radrada around him, he looks in his element.
Bordeaux’s new team boss, Rory Teague, must have feared losing with his team shorn of key players on France training duty or injured.
But even he cannot have suspected Toulon would have four tries in half an hour to lead 26-0 with a bonus point within reach.
One-time Rugby League star Radrada started the rout, then came Ashton’s thrust followed by tries from flanker Raphael Lakafia and Tuisova.
Denne historien er fra January 28, 2018-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra January 28, 2018-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.