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'There's no place for a rest in Test rugby' - Ashton stands by Lowe comments but says winger is 'amazing player'
Chris Ashton has stood by his comments about Ireland winger James Lowe, saying “there’s no place for a rest” in Test rugby.
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Speaking to Jim Hamilton on RugbyPass’ All Access podcast, the Harlequins winger was quizzed about his description of Lowe as “too big, too heavy, too slow” in the wake of Ireland’s loss to England at Twickenham in November.
The 33-year-old qualified that statement on social media soon after, saying he was specifically referring to Jonny May’s try, and Lowe’s pedestrian attempt to trackback. Ashton then questioned if Lowe is being used correctly, as both he and Hamilton agreed that he is built like a centre.
“I happened to say for the Jonny May try that he looks a bit big and a little bit slow and I stand by it,” Ashton said. “He’s a top player, the things he has done for Leinster have changed some of Leinster’s attack and he’s been part of Championship winning teams, so obviously he is an amazing player. But he is naturally big, so if he’s [built like a] centre, my thinking is use him like a centre, you don’t get him chasing kicks. What is the point in James Lowe chasing kicks? He’s not going to be able to turn, come back, go again, he’s not going to be able to do what Jonny May does or Anthony Watson.
“In the way [Ireland] wanted to play against England, they’re not really using him enough. I watched them when they were in the 22 attacking, and he was just stood on his wing. I was like ‘go get the ball, go and play forward and just carry the ball,’ that’s what he needs to be doing.”
Ireland winger, James Lowe has responded to Chris Ashton's comments that he is too big and slow! ??????????@ChristinaMahonx @ryanwilson89 @SimonZebo pic.twitter.com/IcDGDeYAJe
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 11, 2020
When asked if he is suited to Test rugby, Ashton responded: “From what I’ve seen, at that level, because the margins are so small, there’s no place for a rest or just clocking off for 30 seconds because something will happen in the game, momentum will change, and you could have solved that problem.
“So take that example of May’s try, he could have solved that problem for Ireland right there and then. He could have got back and done something out of the blue. You can’t always wait for a try-scoring moment, you’ve got to be everywhere all the time and that just takes a bit of learning and a bit of experience.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
Adding to earlier comment. Cullen Grace has been playing great at no6. Lio-Willie , who was on fire a few weeks ago, had a bad game. I think Cullen should have been moved to 8 earlier, Dominic Gardiner on earlier. Feel for Quinten Strange , put in a big shift .
2 Go to commentsWe dominated the scrums Ben Curry was all over pitch again .Surely James Harper got to be one of best English tightheads
1 Go to commentsRoos is a better option at 6 than 8 for the boks. Needs to work on his windgat though.
1 Go to commentsThe Sharks’ 2nd team maybe?
1 Go to comments‘radical’
1 Go to commentsCome back to Christchurch Robbie, please!
1 Go to commentsI think there is zero chance Sam Cane will be selected for another Test. There is simply no point except sentimentality. Razor is not sentimental- ask Wyatt Crocket. Razor is a ruthless selector
4 Go to comments> It would be best described as an elegant solution to what was potentially going to be a significant problem for new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. It is a problem the mad population of New Zealand will have to cope with more and more as All Blacks are able to continue their careers in NZ post RWCs. It will not be a problem for coaches, who are always going to start a campaign with the captain for the next WC in mind. > Cane, despite his warrior spirit, his undoubted commitment to every team he played for and unforgettable heroics against Ireland in last year’s World Cup quarter-final, was never unanimously admired or respected within New Zealand while he was in the role. Neither was McCaw, he was considered far too passive a captain and then out of form until his last world cup where everyone opinions changed, just like they would have if Cane had won the WC. > It was never easy to see where Cane, or even if, he would fit into Robertson’s squad given the new coach will want to be building a new-look team with 2027 in mind. > Cane will win his selections on merit and come the end of the year, he’ll sign off, he hopes, with 100 caps and maybe even, at last, universal public appreciation for what was a special career. No, he won’t. Those returning from Japan have already earned the right to retain their jersey, it’s in their contract. Cane would have been playing against England if he was ready, and found it very hard to keep his place. Perform, and they keep it however. Very easy to see where Cane could have fit, very hard to see how he could have accomplished it choosing this year as his sabbatical instead of 2025, and that’s how it played out (though I assume we now know what when NZR said they were allowing him to move his sabbatical forward and return to NZ next year, they had actually agreed to simply select him for the All Blacks from overseas, without any chance he was going to play in NZ again). With a mammoth season of 15 All Black games they might as well get some value out of his years contract, though even with him being of equal character to Richie, I don’t think they should guarantee him his 100 caps. That’s not what the All Blacks should be about. He absolutely has to play winning football.
4 Go to commentswhat’s happening to Ian Peel?
1 Go to commentsAs a Crusaders fan , so disappointed , again.But I think Fergus Burke was all class for the Crusaders in his first game since October last year. Fletcher Newell , was so good at prop. Johnny McNicoll has been gold since returning from Wales. Noah Hotham brilliant , in a coming of age second season for the Crusaders.Jone Rova did really well at centre. The end of the game was tough.Sevu Reece , what a game/season in tough times.
2 Go to commentsFellas a balloon
3 Go to commentsBlues B team on display and made no race of it. By far the best team in SR with the Hurricanes barely getting past the winning post. Up the Blues 💙
7 Go to commentsWould be amazing to have Servette Genève reaching this level
3 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can't buy a win this season. Surely Penney's contract won't be renewed. There's still enough talent in the squad that they oughta be winning more.
1 Go to commentsABs captain for 23 seasons. Decent record. Surely nobody will surpass it. Legend. But alas a typo…
4 Go to commentsJust FYI Rugbypass, I for one am tired of your clickbait titles and thumbnails and will be clicking them no longer. Good day.
1 Go to commentsI think Farrell despite all of the stick he gets in the media is still one of if not the best fly half in the world. He is literally the full package. He can kick one of the best in the world, probably has the best defensive game of a fly half in the world and if he wants to he can run, take contact and find an offload to keep the pace of the attack. I dont know why he isnt spoken more about still being one of the best in the world with the likes of dupont. Farrell is the ultimate captain and team leader and is experienced- he has been in nearly any situation you can think of. I still believe due to these reasons that he is England’s best ever player and is still one of the best players in the world.
48 Go to commentsBlues are dominating up front and that’s been a long time coming. They have won the up front confrontation which is where canes, hilanders and act brumbies are also strong.
7 Go to commentsJust watched brumbies v safas game sadly not a show in he’ll thryr anywhere near quarters or semi contention. Admittedly some issues around new comers bot what stands out for me is coaching management, poor game planning and accuracy.
5 Go to commentsOne tough SOB!
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