Chris Ashton is staring down his second lengthy ban this year after being captured on camera appearing to bite the hand of an opponent during yesterday's Aviva Premiership clash between Saracens and Northampton.
Jim Wallander, director of rugby at Northampton, confirmed after the match that his player Alex Waller had been bitten on the hand. Footage, which you can see below, has emerged of the incident and doesn't paint a particularly pretty picture for Ashton and Saracens.
Speaking after the match, Wallander confirmed to Sky Sports that his player had made accusations of foul play.
[Waller] just repeated what he said to the referee (Greg Garner), in that he had been bitten on the hand.
Judge for yourself below.
Does Ashton bite Waller? pic.twitter.com/EbVYjFlOBH
— RugbyInsideLine (@RugbyInsideLine) September 17, 2016
Mark McCall, Wallander's opposite number at Northampton, (quite conveniently) didn't see the incident.
When questioned about it, he said:
I have heard the accusation. I haven't seen the incident. These things will run [their] course. I suppose there is a good chance that Chris will be cited as a result, so we will see what happens.
If indeed Ashton does get cited (as is looking likely), he will be staring down his second long-term ban of the year after last season being handed a 10-week ban after being found to have gouged Ulster and Ireland centre Luke Marshall - an incident which Brian O'Driscoll contends cost the 39-times capped player his international career.
Ashton has played the role of English rugby's pantomime villain since moving from League to Union in 2007. The winger has infuriated fans and players alike (even occasionally his international teammates) and this latest incident won't do much to improve his public image.
What's even worse for the winger? England boss Eddie Jones was in the stands and it's probably fair to say that this incident won't do Ashton's case for a recall to the national team any favours at all.
