Pat Lam has revealed he spoke to Chris Ashton this week following his shock departure from Sale Sharks but despite wanting to bring him to the Bristol Bears did not have room within the salary cap to do so.
The Bears director of rugby and former England winger developed a bond during Lam’s tenure as Barbarians head coach in 2018 when Ashton scored a hat-trick of tries to beat England 63-45.
The other star for the Barbarians that day was Fijian superstar Semi Radradra who Lam has already signed for Bristol ahead of next season on a three-year deal from French Top 14 side Bordeaux-Begles.
However instead of heading to the West Country, Ashton could now line-up against the Bears having signed for their opponents on Sunday - Harlequins.
Discussing Ashton, Lam said: “He is an excellent person and an excellent rugby player and I have got a lot of time for Chris.
“It was similar [this week] to when he first became available [after leaving Toulon in 2018].
“We were in contact just checking he was okay.
“Would I have liked to have brought him to Bristol - yeah I think it would have added value but it didn’t fit into the salary cap and our priorities for where we are at.
“But I think it is a great signing for Harlequins and hopefully he could be involved this weekend because it will be good for the fans to have a player of his calibre here at Ashton Gate.”
Bristol are well stocked with back three talent with the likes of Charles Piutau, Alapati Leiua, Luke Morahan and Henry Purdy all contracted for next season.
However over the last decade Ashton, 32, has been one of the deadliest wingers in the game, he has scored 20 tries in 44 England Tests and is Premiership’s third highest ever try-scorer with 86, just six behind former Bristol winger Tom Varndell.
Ashton is also the leading ever try-scorer in the Heineken Champions Cup having touched down 40 times in Europe and broke the Top 14 single season try scoring record when he crossed the whitewash 24 times in 23 appearances.
Ashton is reported to have left Sale following a ‘discussion’ with director of rugby Steve Diamond over the best way of playing the game.
On signing for his new club, having previously played for Northampton Saints and Saracens in the Gallagher Premiership, Ashton said: “I can’t wait to get started at Quins. It is a club filled with incredibly experienced and talented players. When I spoke to Gussy [Paul Gustard, head of rugby] and heard more about the direction the club is going in, and what it means to be a Harlequin, I knew that this was the right move for me.
“I know lots of the lads at Quins, like Danny [Care], through our England careers and years of friendship. I like the look of what Quins are doing, they are growing a strong squad and the foundations for future success are in place.
“I know that I have still got a lot to give on the pitch and I am confident that being at Quins will enable me to continue scoring tries and help me with my aspirations of reaching 100 Premiership tries, beating the current record.”
