England Rugby
Ashton determined to keep his head down
ESPN Staff
October 10, 2012
Saracens' Chris Ashton goes over for his first try, Saracens v London Irish, Aviva Premiership, Twickenham, September 1, 2012
Winger Chris Ashton will hope to be among the tries when Saracens kick off their euro campaign against Edinburgh on Saturday © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Chris Ashton
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England winger Chris Ashton has admitted that his recent nightclub attack has knocked his confidence.

The 25-year-old was lucky to escape with minor injuries after he was glassed by a stranger while on a night out with fellow Saracens players, their wives and girlfriends in the wake of their recent Premiership clash with Leicester.

England skipper Chris Robshaw has since insisted that the country's leading players will not be "locked away" in a bid to avoid altercations but Ashton himself is now wary of putting himself in such danger.

"You go into places now thinking maybe now's the time to leave," he told the Daily Telegraph. "Or maybe not even go to them in the first place.

"You remember when you were 16 and you decided not to go out with your mates because you wanted to be ready for training the next day, maybe it's the same now, maybe it is best not to go out at all.

"Maybe you need to keep your head down. Not because you go out to misbehave, but because you are so much more visible. Unfortunately it took that experience to learn that. But sometimes that's the way."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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