Test pedigree: Chris Ashton scores one of his hat-trick of tries for the Barbarians against England
PICTURE: Getty Images

CHRIS Ashton is a proven try-scorer, whether at Northampton, Saracens or Toulon, where last season he set a Top 14 record with 24 tries. Ashton is one of those players who is capable of scoring from anywhere, and that is why Sale signed him.
He is the king poacher, but more than that he can read the game in a way that very few players can. It is Ashton’s ability to read running lines that is exceptional, and it doesn’t matter whether he is picking a direct...