Saracens Boss Mark McCall Has Some Pretty Harsh Words For Chris Ashton

Saracens director of rugby, Mark McCall believes that winger Chris Ashton will live to regret his decision to join Toulon next season.

Saracens have secured compensation for Ashton’s departure with 18 months remaining on his contract, but it is clear that McCall is upset to see the 29-year-old, who is currently serving a 13-week suspension for biting, leave a club he joined four years ago from Northampton.

“We’re grateful for the contribution he has made to the club over the four and a bit years he’s been here, five years by the end of the season,” McCall said.

“Chris has been good for the club in that period and the club have been very good for Chris.

“If you’re asking me if it’s the right move from a rugby point of view to develop his game or develop him as a person, I think it’s not and I told him that. But he obviously doesn’t think that.”

Ashton has shut the door on his England career.

Asked to elaborate on why he thought it was the wrong decision, McCall added:

“It’s obvious isn’t it? His game has come on leaps and bounds at this club. This is the right club for him to grow as a player and as a person.

It’s unfortunate that he’s decided what he’s decided. I understand his reasons for going as well. That international door in his eyes seems to be shut.

And clearly there is probably another reason as well, and that’s the way it is.”

What do you think? Has Chris Ashton made the wrong decision in joining Toulon?

[Telegraph]