Chris Ashton rates the derby match between Northampton Saints
and Leicester Tigers as highly as those he played in during his rugby league
days.
Although Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder does
not want his players to get swept up in the hype, Ashton admits it can be
difficult at times.
“I think you do,” he said, adding: “From the period of time
I’ve been here it’s just the same as back at home when Wigan played St Helens.
“It’s exactly the same sort of thing, but you’re involved
with Northampton. I’d say it was on par with it, especially here.
“I love playing here against Leicester with the crowd. It’s
a great time and a great chance to beat Leicester here as well.”
After impressing for England during the Six Nations, Ashton
went on this summer’s tour to Australia and New Zealand.
The 23-year-old scored a try in the 21-20 victory over the
Wallabies in Sydney, and feels that being around the squad has made him a
better player.
Ashton said: “It's the little things really that you see
people doing and you want to take on board - its things that you can't really
practise.
“You watch people and how they move around the pitch, and
what little things they do which you take in.
“Sometimes you don't even know that you're taking it in,
it's just training with those kinds of players that you pick up on it.
“Just being around those people day in, day out and training
with them you've got to be at the top of your game every session.”
However, despite finishing last season as the Premiership’s
top try scorer with 16 in 20 games he can still take the rest of his game to
the next level.
“I’d say I've still got a lot to improve,” Ashton said. “The
kick chase is a big one for me, and catching box kicks which I don't do much
of.
“There are numerous things that I can still work on and just
because you’ve played for England in the summer doesn't mean you're going to
come back here and walk straight into the team. You’ve still got to work hard
and impress people here.”
Ashton felt that he got off to a slow start last season and
is looking to put that right, while he is also aiming for the Saints to go one
step further and reach the Premiership final.
He said: “For the team I thought we were quite consistent
all of last year. We were unlucky in the Heineken Cup, which we’ve got a chance
to change this year and hopefully get further than the quarter finals.
“Premiership-wise the club has never been to the final and I’m
sure that’s what we’re all aiming to do.”
