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.
This story is from the January 28, 2018 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 28, 2018 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Morris hat-trick lifts Steelmen
HOOKER Ieuan Morris came off the bench to settle matters for Ebbw Vale at Carmarthen Quins with his stunning second half hat-trick completing a 39-11 victory in Super Rygbi Cymru.
Joe keen to follow in family footsteps
JOE Ford is leading the charge to take Doncaster Knights to the promised land but says they have a long way to go before that becomes reality.
Robson keen to make it to the top with Coventry
COVENTRY ended the first five-match block of fixtures as the Championship’s only unbeaten side and full-back Charlie Robson has his sights set on promotion, and eventually playing for England.
Hancox joins the 200 club
AFTER 10 years of donning the red, black and yellow shirt for Bournemouth, skipper Grant Hancox made his 200th appearance this month after their Regional 2 South Central clash against Winchester.
Bear keen to be a big hit Down Under
FORMER Cornish Pirates back row Bear Williams has flourished in making the difficult transition from rugby union to league and has plans to play in Australia’s NRL. `
To play in two World Cups was a dream
RUGBY started quite late for me.
Call time on this pantomime ploy
THIS 60-second shot clock twaddle. If we must continue to plough down this blind alley it needs to apply from the moment the referee awards the penalty. If the authorities are going to put some stick about at least do it properly and with conviction.
Coetzee's pulling his weight again
WHETHER he starts or comes off the bench, Jaco Coetzee is just happy to be contributing fully to Bath’s revival after an injury-hit start to his career in blue, black and white.
Murray's on a wing - and a prayer ...
BLAIR Murray began the week ‘in a state of shock’ at having gone from nowhere on one side of the world to the starting grid for the autumn Tests on the other.
We need to kick on after winning at last
Paul Rees talks to Ethan Grayson who heard from two rugby legends after he helped Newcastle end their 25-match losing run
