Chris Ashton to make Sale Sharks exit with immediate effect

Sale Sharks have announced that England international Chris Ashton will leave the Gallagher Premiership club with immediate effect.

Ashton started his professional rugby career with Northampton Saints in 2007 and moved to Saracens in 2012 before switching to French club Toulon in 2017. He made a return back to the Premiership where he signed a contract with Sale Sharks in 2018 in a bid to revive his England career but has now left the club with mutual consent.

The 32-year-old has played 44 times for England since his debut in 2010 and last featured for them during the Six Nations tournament last year. He has played 145 Premiership games for three clubs combined and has scored 86 tries with six out of it coming this season for the Sharks.

"Sale and Chris have reached a mutual agreement regarding the termination of his Sale Sharks contract and he will leave the club immediately," read a statement from the club.

"Sale would like to thank Chris for his efforts while at the club and wish him and his family all the best for the future."

Sale Sharks are at the second place in the Gallagher Premiership table with seven wins from 12 games and will take on London Irish next at AJ Bell Stadium on 6th March.