The end for Ashton?

[irocfan]

well talk about being a grade one knobber... pisses off Eddie J and now being looked at for biting (after last year's gouging)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37412220

[Pieman68]

You can take the man out of Wigan..................

[BluePurpleRed]

Its only good news for England. They have been doing plenty well enough without him and he lacks defensive oomph for the S Hemisphere sides for me.

Its only so long before that ball gets dropped over the try line too.

[Pieman68]

13 weeks for one offence with the other one dismissed. Seems pretty lenient to me for an intentional bite.

[anonymous-user]

I think he is a decent finisher and good at finding his way to the line when space is tight. Saying that, there are plenty of other strong wingers available for England that can do the same, and are better in defense/general gameplay.

He doesnt seem a bad bloke, and it looked to be a hot headed reaction to Wallers arm remaining around his face and mouth after the play (stupid, and not an excuse I know). He plays reasonably well for Sarries but never seemed to fit into the national squad, and I doubt he would have been selected by EJ anyway.

Not sure why he bothered pleading not guilty, it was pretty evident what he did. I wonder if that actually hurt his cause, I think an apology and acceptance of guilt might have gone over better.

[hornetrider]

Thunderhead said:

Not sure why he bothered pleading not guilty, it was pretty evident what he did. I wonder if that actually hurt his cause, I think an apology and acceptance of guilt might have gone over better.

I don't think even the finest shortbread will save him this time. Lots of previous, two counts of biting, bans can run concurrently. Even with the bizarre leniency shown to previous miscreants, surely he's going down for 4-6 months?

Edit: Whoops, I see the results of the jury are in. 13 week ban, second charge dismissed.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-rugby-union-engla...

Edited by hornetrider on Wednesday 21st September 11:43

[irocfan]

that being said surely it's quite difficult to bite someone with a gumshield in

[Challo]

Banned last year for gouging and now biting? What an idiot.

[Smollet]

All the credentials for a future England captaincy then.

[irocfan]

Challo said:

Banned last year for gouging and now biting? What an idiot.

TBF the gouging was a very harsh call and I've seen a lot worse not even getting pinged

[irocfan]

well he's decided enough's enough

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37764138


Toulon bound

[basherX]

irocfan said:

well he's decided enough's enough

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37764138


Toulon bound

And so joins Cipriani in the "what could have been" bucket

Shame really.

[irocfan]

basherX said:

irocfan said:

well he's decided enough's enough

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37764138


Toulon bound

And so joins Cipriani in the "what could have been" bucket

Shame really.

sort of but not quite - it would appear that Cips has learned (maybe too late?) that it's a team game and is actively trying to toe the line (in addition all his misdemeanors were off field)

[hornetrider]

basherX said:

And so joins Cipriani in the "what could have been" bucket

Shame really.

Really? The guy is a prick but even so has 40 odd caps. All seems a bit normal and unexceptional.

[basherX]

irocfan said:

basherX said:

irocfan said:

well he's decided enough's enough

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37764138


Toulon bound

And so joins Cipriani in the "what could have been" bucket

Shame really.

sort of but not quite - it would appear that Cips has learned (maybe too late?) that it's a team game and is actively trying to toe the line (in addition all his misdemeanors were off field)

Ok, overstated maybe. But I dont think he'll get to the end of his career and think he did his talent full justice.

I reckon Cipriani's done. Too much water under the bridge and even though he's playing well for Wasps he'll struggle to dislodge Farrell or Ford. And even if one of those falls over I reckon jones would prefer Slade.

[irocfan]

basherX said:

irocfan said:

basherX said:

irocfan said:

well he's decided enough's enough

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37764138


Toulon bound

And so joins Cipriani in the "what could have been" bucket

Shame really.

sort of but not quite - it would appear that Cips has learned (maybe too late?) that it's a team game and is actively trying to toe the line (in addition all his misdemeanors were off field)

Ok, overstated maybe. But I dont think he'll get to the end of his career and think he did his talent full justice.

I reckon Cipriani's done. Too much water under the bridge and even though he's playing well for Wasps he'll struggle to dislodge Farrell or Ford. And even if one of those falls over I reckon jones would prefer Slade.

you may not be wrong there WRT EJ. It was an interesting comment he made WRT to Cips in as much as he had to be the #1 fly in the country and would't be considered as a #2 - not sure if that's a compliment or not? Maybe it is saying that Cips' style of play is different enough that the team would need to be built around him and he's not really an 'identikit/slot-in' player as a lot of the others are?

[basherX]

irocfan said:

you may not be wrong there WRT EJ. It was an interesting comment he made WRT to Cips in as much as he had to be the #1 fly in the country and would't be considered as a #2 - not sure if that's a compliment or not? Maybe it is saying that Cips' style of play is different enough that the team would need to be built around him and he's not really an 'identikit/slot-in' player as a lot of the others are?

I'm a bit more cynical and took it as a bit of a slap really. I interpreted it as Jones saying that if Cipriani's in as #1 then he's great and works well in the team but that if he isn't starting then he's not just "not a team man" but becomes actively disruptive.