Friday 8 December 2017 16:56, UK
Chris Ashton has taken Toulon by storm and fast become a firm favourite with their passionate fans.
The record for tries in a Top 14 season is 21 but with 13 from just 11 games, Ashton could well break that record as his move from winger to full-back as certainly paid dividends
Ashton already tops the try-scorers table in Europe with 37 and will be looking to extend that when Toulon take on Bath on Saturday, live on Sky Sports.
His last encounter with Bath was in March in Saracens colours where his two-try performance caught the eye with talk of an England recall and a possible berth to New Zealand with the British and Irish Lions.
Neither materialised and Ashton felt that no matter what he did, it would not be good enough for him to add to his 39 England caps.
"You know you are trying to impress someone, who I found it impossible to impress in the end," said Ashton.
"I would have rather if he had just said if he doesn't want to know then he doesn't want to know. Then I could have stopped trying to please someone who does not want it.
"Coming here [Toulon] you don't have that background noise any more. I have me, I have family and I have Toulon. I came here to be able to express myself playing rugby again without that background noise and I feel that I am doing that and I am enjoying it."
The move to full-back has meant he has more room to roam which really suits his game and he believes will extend his playing career.
"I obviously want to play until I'm 40 - I won't be able to do that on the wing so moving to 15 has helped me.
"As long as I am in the team and playing then I don't mind. I will play anywhere.
"At Sarries they wanted their wingers to be on the wing - don't get me wrong I had the opportunity to go for it but there was a time and a place for it.
"At Toulon and playing at full-back gives me the chance to anticipate more."
Part of Ashton's repertoire in England was his try-scoring dive called the 'Ash Splash' and while the likes of Stuart Lancaster and Martin Johnson may not have been fans, the Toulon faithful have certainly embraced it.
"The Toulon fans like it - I don't think they have seen too many stupid dives like that so I felt it was almost my duty to do it here.
"I thought people loved rugby in Northampton, but then I came here. I think it is safe to say that this will be the closest that I will ever get to playing football in terms of the football fans and the passion that they have for their club."
Watch Toulon against Bath in the Champions Cup on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action from 3pm.
