ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Thursday Nov 26, 2020

Ashton explains his 'too slow' comments about Lowe as winger's work rate comes into question

Former England winger Chris Ashton has explained his recent comments labelling Ireland’s James Lowe “too big, too heavy, too slow”. Ashton pulled no punches when analysing the efforts of Lowe in Jonny May’s try at Twickenham on Saturday.

ADVERTISEMENT

Speaking on the BBC Radio Rugby Union Weekly podcast, he said:

“Jonny’s was a really good try. Even the shanked kick, he managed to outsprint seven players across the pitch. That probably says something about the [Ireland] team.

“If I was a winger on the opposite side of the pitch from Jonny, say I was James Lowe on the Ireland team, when Jonny shanks that kick across the pitch my job as James Lowe is to go across the pitch and get the ball.

“Where was James Lowe? He’s dragging a dresser back there. He’s too big. He’s like a tractor, mate, turning. I watched him during the game, he is too big, too heavy, too slow.”

In the wake of those comments, Ashton has explained himself on Twitter, saying that he was not criticising Lowe as a player entirely, rather just highlighting that specific moment.


These were inflammatory remarks by Ashton, but that does not necessarily mean that everyone disagrees with him.

ADVERTISEMENT

As the loss to England has been dissected, Lowe has been picked up for his work rate in May’s try, particularly as Peter O’Mahony outpaced him as he worked back to try and stop it.

The Englishman’s meandering run seemed to cover such a vast expanse of the field that it is almost indefensible to not have worked back, even if May started his run on the other side of the field.

May’s try has been hailed as one of the great tries to be scored at Twickenham and has been likened to Ashton’s effort against Australia in 2010.

You can see May’s try in the highlights below.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Brilliant footage shows old school...

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    Crazy scenes as player deliberately kicks...

  • 63 WEEKS AGO

    Jokester has field day with Chris Latham's...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    South African schoolboy produces the greatest goosey in the sport

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible team try showcases thrills of the grassroots game

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Highlights video shows just why Vakatawa’s return is so highly anticipated

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Individual brilliance as player scores off his own kick off

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Match Report: Australia challenge the All Black HAKA in extraordinary test

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Shocking record set to be broken at this year’s World Cup

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Tom Curry receives ban following red card tackle against Argentina

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Off the ball 'punches' being called out by fans following All Blacks vs Springbok match

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Scott Barrett's World Cup on the rocks following reckless shoulder charge

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Bizarre tackle school video divides viewers

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Shocking record set to be broken at this year’s World Cup

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible team try showcases thrills of the grassroots game

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Dane Coles stunned as he hears news of Steve Hansen joining the Wallabies

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Moment of madness leads to incredible Springbok score

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Highlights video shows just why Vakatawa’s return is so highly anticipated

View All

Funnies

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Irish players prove the work/life balance is possible even at a World Cup

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber offers ice cold response at the press conference

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Stone Cole’d: Dan Cole channels his inner Steve Austin in brilliant behind the scenes action

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Chaos ensues as off-field substitute is caught up in try scoring opportunity

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Springboks set to sing additional song post national anthem in future test matches

View All

Amateur

  • 38 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 38 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 2 HOURS AGO

    Incredible spreadsheet shows exactly how Scotland can progress to the quarter finals

  • 3 HOURS AGO

    Makazole Mapimpi out of World Cup as world class centre drafted back in

  • 4 HOURS AGO

    Raw power and camaraderie displayed as South Africa and Tonga came together in incredible match

  • 18 HOURS AGO

    Springbok players pay tribute to incredible fans that support them around the world

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Springbok’s reign as world champions in peril as Dupont returns

View All