Chris Ashton crowned Premiership player of the season
Few players have been able to make the transition from rugby league to union with such consummate ease as Chris Ashton.
Three years on from his decision to make the transition, Ashton was crowned the Guinness Premiership’s player of the season at a gala awards ceremony last night, following an inspirational campaign with Northampton Saints.
The 23-year-old only switched codes in 2007, but has established a reputation as one of the best wings in the English league.
This season saw the Saints finish second in the league at the end of the regular season, largely because of the tries of their brilliant flying winger. Ashton scored 16 tries from just 20 matches – also sealing him the league’s top try-scorer accolade – in a remarkable campaign.
Perhaps even more incredible, though; Ashton pondered a return to rugby league before the start of last season after losing confidence in his own ability. He’d been an instrumental part of Northampton’s rise back to the Premiership; but once they got there, Ashton initially struggled to produce his best form.
However, his decision to stick with the 15-man game, and Jim Mallinder’s confidence in the former Wigan Warriors player, has paid dividends for both parties. Ashton has been tremendous throughout his third season at Franklin’s Gardens, and his excellent form has led to a place in the England set-up.
Among the highlights from Ashton’s season include hat-tricks against Gloucester and Newcastle. After missing out on the Premiership Final, Northampton will be hoping that their star winger can inspire them again next season, as the club bids for their first Premiership title.
Ashton’s teammate, Soane Tonga'uiha, was runner-up for the coveted award; while Saracens’ Ernst Joubert completed the top three.
Elsewhere, Leicester Tigers scrum-half, Ben Youngs, followed up his club player of the season award with the Premiership’s Discovery of the Season accolade. The 20-year-old put in a series of commanding performances, helping the club all the way to the Premiership Final where they will take on Saracens this weekend.
As for the Director of Rugby of the Season, there were a number of potential candidates. From Mallinder at the Saints, to Leicester’s Richard Cockerill and Brendan Venter at Saracens – each one of them could have expected to have their name etched on the trophy. However, the award didn’t go to a manager in charge of a club in the play-offs. Instead, it deservedly went to Leeds Carnegie’s Andy Key.
Leeds’ miraculous escape from the clutches of relegation was the fairytale story of the season. Few would have given them any hope at the turn of the year; but thanks to the work of Key and his backroom staff, the club managed to put together a vital winning run which eventually ensured their survival.
With only a couple of exceptions, Sky Sports’ Dream Team – essentially, the team of the year – was made up of players from Saracens, Leicester and Northampton.
The focus will now shift to Saturday’s huge Premiership Final clash at Twickenham – where the Guinness Premiership will then take a four-month break before resuming for the 2010/11 campaign.
Sky Sports Dream Team: A Goode (Saracens); C Ashton (Northampton) S Rabeni (Leeds), B Barritt (Saracens), S Hamilton (Leicester); T Flood (Leicester), B Youngs (Leicester); S Tonga'uiha (Northampton), S Brits (Saracens), C Hayman (Newcastle), M Wentzel, (Leeds), J Kruger Northampton), P Dowson (Northampton, capt), H Fourie (Leeds), E Joubert (Saracens).
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