Ashton signs new Saints deal

Mallinder describes in-form Saints winger as a "natural finisher"

Last updated: 14th January 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Ashton signs new Saints deal

Ashton: New two-year deal

It's exciting to be at a club that is going places. We are ambitious to be one of the top clubs in England and in Europe, and we can only get better over the next few years

Chris Ashton
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Chris Ashton has followed up his selection in England's squad by signing a new contract with Northampton.

The winger, who joined Saints from rugby league club Wigan back in 2007, will now remain at Franklin's Gardens for a further two years.

Ashton has scored 15 tries in 16 games so far this season and his fine form was rewarded with an England call-up ahead of the RBS Six Nations.

But despite earning international recognition, the 22-year-old believes he still has much to learn at an ambitious club he feels are "going places".

Ambitious

"The Saints has been a great club to be a part of over the past couple of years," he said.

"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 am still learning though, and I believe I can improve a lot.

"It's exciting to be at a club that is going places. We are ambitious to be one of the top clubs in England and in Europe, and we can only get better over the next few years."

Northampton's director of rugby Jim Mallinder believes Ashton, who he describes as a natural finisher, is now reaping the rewards of his hard work.

Learning

"Chris has worked very hard on his game, especially over the past 18 months," he said. "After a fantastic season in National League One, he had a quiet first year in the 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.

"He is both a natural finisher and a good reader of where an attack is going, so that if support is needed he is there to provide it.

"At 22, he is still a young player with plenty to offer, and I am delighted that he has decided to stay and be a part of the Saints."

Ashton follows in the foosteps of fellow England call-up Ben Foden and scrum-half Lee Dickson in pledging his future to Saints.