Chris Ashton to retire from professional rugby at end of 2022/23 season

Former England back Chris Ashton has announced that he will be retiring from professional rugby at the end of the ongoing season.

Ashton, who started his career with rugby league side Wigan Warriors in 2005, switched codes to rugby union in 2007 joining Northampton Saints.

He spent five seasons with Saints before moving to Saracens, where he spent a further five years and was part of two Premiership and one European Cup winning campaigns.

The 36-year-old also represented Toulon, Sale Sharks, Harlequins, Worcester Warriors before joining Leicester Tigers in 2022 making 25 appearances for them scoring 10 tries. Ashton made his England Test debut in 2010 and has played 44 games scoring 20 tries.

“I have just felt, this season, that my body is not able to do what I want it do anymore," he told the club's official website.

“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.”