Popped into my Cirencester local this afternoon just in time to see, on the big screen, one of England's young starlets score a magnificent try against Australia.
"Didn't he used to play for Wigan?" I asked, rather cheekily.
"No." I was told. "He comes from Northampton."

And thats all those tweed jacketed chaps wanted and needed to know.

Definitely, signing another player up on a big money, long term contract could only have hindered the club further down the line. At the time he was a good young player with potential. We now have a team littered with young players with imo equal potential. Looking at how far we've come since he left, the right decision was definitely made. No player is bigger than the club.

He left when we were awful and no one can blame him for going for the money players move on Wigan will always be Wigan teams change.

Quite a Union fans I know forget he is from Wigan and a former League player. Good to see a Wigan lad though go down as scoring one of the best ever tries at Twickenham, but then it shows how dull Union is if thats one of the best. We seen a number of tries like that last season at Wigan alone.

His second try was a brilliant effort. To step inside and run diagonally then straighten up to score was a class try in any code. And it was against the Aussies.

Can't stand union, but just watched his try on BBCiplayer as saw his name on headlines.

Had to chuckle at the "No he's from Northampton" reply.

I think the 4 nations highlighted our weakness in the outside backs so in that respect I think he is missed. Playing on the wing hides his defensive frailties and highlights the strengths of his game. People with pace and an eye for a try like his don't come along often so it's vital for our game going forward that we keep hold of them otherwise we'll continue playing second fiddle to Oz while the RU side beats them.

I am no watcher of Union so no idea how he's developing there, but must admit saw his trys today on the news highlights and with the recent performance of England backs in the 4 Nations, must admit I found myself thinking, "what if".

That said, those comments above about ego and arrogance are properly right, but then, we need a little of that if we're ever to produce a team capable of beating the Aussies!

Sh1thouse, hope he he is exposed in Union and ends up playing for Swinton next year.

Please explain what you mean by being exposed?

We've not missed him. Glad he put the boot in to the Aussies though.

I find myself falling asleep watching Union, but of course I'd support England at Tiddlywinks, especially over the Australians.

I honestly think that if Ashton would have been playing for us last season he'd have broken SL try scoring records with ease.

You only have to look at what a good player like Gouldind did to realise a guy with as much talent, pace and an eye for the try line as what Ashton has would mean he'd be a superstar.

Sadly I feel I agree with most of his points. Another terrible mess from RL management.
Ashton was a top RL talent with all the talent in the world to become a great RL back.

He was a young Wigan lad who wanted to play for his boyhood club, if management would have dealt with the situation better right now he would be progressing at Wigan as either a FB, wing or centre. What a terrible loss.

So who's to blame? For me, not Ashton. The season he left he was arguably our best player. I can remember the big money signing of Fielden and Dobson, for me it was them 3 who kept us up. Fielden was rewarded with megabucks, Ashton, still now only 23 was overlooked by poor management and a deal wasn't created for him to want to stay.

Additionally I now think it's high time to English RL put something in to the salary cap to protect young up and coming English players.
A different ruling for such players who allow them to earn more money so they won't be forced out to end up in RU.
That would benefit RL, we'd have a better chance of beating NZ and Aus, we'd build a better reputation as a sport. And not lose good players to RU.

Ashton is right, under present leadership RL will never change. the 80k watching Eng v Aus is far superior to what our England team generate.

As a produce RL is by far the better code. faster, more physical and entertaining. It's about time it was managed with the intelligence it deserves.