The Ash Splash, loved by many, hated by some

Brendan Gallagher delves into some of rugby’s most enduring images, their story and why they are still so impactful

What is happening here?

It’s May 13, 2017 and Saracens wing Chris Ashton is preparing to splash down in trademark fashion for an early try for Saracens in the European Cup Final at Murrayfield against Clermont Auvergne after chasing down Alex Goode’s chip ahead.

Clermont’s full-back Scott Spedding can only look on helplessly, the fate of many defenders trying to deal with Ashton in his pomp.

What’s the story behind the picture?

A career of conspicuous try scoring at the top level! Ashton had his weaknesses as a player –a volatile temperament which led to ill-disciplined moments and indeed he was in trouble again last week for Worcester – but he was one of the most natural and prolific try scorers of the professional era. He had a nose for it and the pace, and courage to put his body on the line.

Ashton also boxed clever. We remember the spectacular splashdowns out wide but throughout his career his bread and butter was coming off his wing and getting on the shoulder of those making breaks in midfield – Stephen Myler, Toby Flood, Owen Farrell, Semi Radradra, Ma’a Nonu to name just five. He was one of the great support runners and trackers of dangerous plays.

Until the last couple of years, Ashton scored a torrent of tries for every club he represented across a range of codes and competitions.

In his Wigan Rugby League career it was 30 tries in 54 matches, including three in four for England. At Northampton it was 72 in 76 matches including 39 in 25 matches when they won promotion from National Division One in 2007-8. Bewildered defenders couldn’t touch him for much of that season.

At Saracens it was 46 in 105 games and Toulon in the Top 14 it was an eyepopping 26 in 30. Even during a seemingly anonymous spell at Sale there were 17 tries in 32 matches.

His current total of 88 Premiership tries is third on the all-time list behind Tom Varndell (92) and Mark Cueto (90) and surely his final rugby challenge is to overhaul that duo.

His 20 Top 14 tries in 2017-18 is a record for that league and his 39 European Cup tries remains a record that might stand for a very long time. Of current players Simon Zebo is the only player in the same parish, and he still lags well behind on 28.

For England it was 25 tries in 44 Tests, the most striking figure there being ‘just’ the 44 Tests. Only Martin Johnson consistently backed him.

What happened next?

This try, the last he scored for the club saw Saracens get off to a quick start and at one stage they led 12-0 but Clermont fought back in one of the most entertaining of finals before Saracens eventually ran out 28-17 winners.

“The only wonder was that he didn’t dislocate a shoulder or elbow”

Exactly a week later they tumbled out of the Premiership play-off semifinal, losing 18-16 at Exeter Chiefs.

Why is the picture iconic?

Ashton is something of a marmite figure among rugby fans – not everybody appreciates his sometimes brash approach – but when the force was with him there was no better or more consistent finisher in the game and his trademark flourish adorned many back pages and magazine covers.

The Ash Splash was an exuberant expression of his joy in scoring and mastery over the opposition and let’s be honest makes for a great image but what really annoyed the detractors is that he never messed up! His imitators did –I remember Willie Le Roux on one famous occasion for Wasps – but Ashton never squandered a try with what some considered his self indulgent celebrations.

And of course he could argue he had more practice than most with his virtually unparalleled scoring record. Nor was it ever quite as risky as it looked. He never employed it when the try was in doubt, only after the hard work had been done.

Once he was certain of the score he would raise his right arm in salute and launch off momentarily into the crucifix position, with his ball in his left hand. He would then normally bring that left arm into his torso for the actual touchdown although occasionally, with the adrenalin running, he would smash the ball down. The only wonder was that he didn’t occasionally dislocate a shoulder or elbow. Footnote: Unless Ashton enjoys a remarkable Indian summer, his career has spluttered to a strange halt after reaching a remarkable crescendo in the spring and early summer of 2018.

After his triumphant T14 season with Toulon and a hat-trick for the Barbarians against England, he headed back home to join Sale with the stated aim of battling his way back into the England team. It didn’t work out as hoped and he abruptly quit Sale last season for Quins where he played just two games before again upping sticks and heading for Worcester.