New England call-up Ashton signs Saints deal
Wing Chris Ashton signs two-year Northampton Saints contract
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Thursday, 14, Jan 2010 11:48
By inthenews.co.uk staff.
Wing Chris Ashton has celebrated his call-up to the England Six Nations squad by signing a new two-year contract with his club Northampton.
The 22-year-old, who switched codes from rugby league side Wigan Warriors in 2007, was a surprise name in Martin Johnson's senior performance squad announced yesterday.
His recent excellent form, which includes 15 tries in 16 games to top the scoring charts in both the Heineken Cup and the Guinness Premiership, has been rewarded with a new deal.
"The Saints has been a great club to be a part of over the past couple of years," he said.
"I've settled here and there is a great bunch of lads. It was a hard year last year as I came to terms with the Premiership, but the coaches stuck with me and are helping me get better at rugby union.
"I'm still learning though and I believe I can improve a lot."
Director of rugby Jim Mallinder described Ashton as "a natural finisher and a good reader of where an attack is going" and said he is "delighted" the player will be staying at Franklin's Gardens.
"Chris has worked very hard on his game, especially over the past 18 months," Mallinder said.
"After a fantastic season in National League One, he had a quiet first year in the Guinness Premiership.
"But he spent a lot of time learning the game and honing the small details that didn't get found out at the lower level and he is starting to reap the benefits now."