England winger Ashton attacked in London Nightclub
Saracens Rugby confirmed that recent signing Chris Ashton was attacked and struck with a glass while out with teammates in London on Saturday night.
Ashton, who has made 23 appearances for England, was celebrating an anniversary with his girlfriend Melissa in the company of his teammates, having played against Leicester in Wembley earlier that afternoon.
According to a statement released by Saracens Rugby “an uninvited stranger” approached the players and after words were exchanged a friend of the stranger struck Ashton with a glass.
The former Northampton Saints man went to hospital but the cuts he sustained did not require stitches.
The player decided to break the news himself on Twitter appearing eager to downplay the event and move on.
“So some bloke decided to spoil an evening out for me and my misses [sic]. No stitches needed – back to work tomorrow,” he tweeted.
The incident is guaranteed to raise questions over the discipline of English rugby players once again after the widespread media coverage of the national team’s off-field antics during the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
Saracens however, were quick to support their winger with club Chief Executive Edward Griffiths commending the 25-year-old for his restraint in the situation.
“Since arriving at the club, Chris has proved himself an outstanding member of the Saracens family, on and off the field,” Griffiths said.
“It is a reality that well-known sports people are provoked by strangers and subsequent events are instantly tweeted.
“People will inevitably see this story and say an England rugby player is in trouble again.
“For clarity, Chris Ashton is not in trouble at all.
“On the contrary, he was celebrating an anniversary with his girlfriend and showed admirable restraint.”
The Rugby Football Union also seems content to absolve Ashton of blame in the matter. A spokesman for the Union said: “England have looked into the incident and consider the matter closed.”
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