Chris Ashton has conceded that being left out of the England squad has hurt his pride.
The winger has enjoyed a superb first season in Toulon, as he broke the Top 14 single-season tries record, with 26 – a whole five clear of the next best effort.
However, it wasn’t enough to give him a place in head coach Eddie Jones’ England squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa.
The former Saracens speedster will appear for the Barbarians in the upcoming game against England, a series where the Barbs have won the last three contests.
Hoping to show Jones what he’s missing, the 31-year-old admitted being left out of the national squad after such a strong season was disappointing:
I went to France with an open mind and I still have an open mind,
I’m enjoying it there, but I still feel good and would love to play for England again one day.
I did feel as though the door had been shut [by Jones] and it affected my confidence. I thought ‘why didn’t he need me in there, why wouldn’t he want me in there?
Ashton has received 39 England caps, scoring 19 tries.
Delighted with his Barbarians call-up, the ex-Rugby League prodigy recognised the chance afforded to him:
What an opportunity the Barbarians game is for me. It’s the chance to show that I’m still knocking around.
I still feel really good and I’d like to play until I’m 40. I’ve not got many other options – I’ve been playing rugby since I was six years old, it’s all I know!
The legs aren’t slowing down either:
I’m 31 and still in good condition. I even ran my fastest time the other weekend.
