SARACENS WINGER CHRIS Ashton will equal a long-standing Heineken Cup record if he manages he ‘Ash Splash’ his way over the Clermont try-line at Twickenham this afternoon.
The England star has scored nine tries in this season’s competition and will be eager to add to that tally as Sarries attempt to reach their first ever European Cup final. The previous record was set by Brive left winger Sebatien Carat in his side’s successful 1996/97 Heineken Cup season.
Carat scored his side’s second try against Tigers [below] in the Heineken Cup final, 17 years ago, and added a second in the latter stages of a game claimed by the French side.
Ashton has scored 13 tries in 15 Heineken Cup games with the English side. Nine of those scores have come this season — three against Connacht, three against Zebre, one against Toulouse and two in the quarter final win over Ulster at Ravenhill. The only game he has failed to score in was the loss Toulouse at Wembley.
Source: Sky Sports
Following Ulster and Toulouse's quarter final defeats, Clermont now have the joint best defensive record in the tournament. Last year's beaten finallists have only conceded six tries. It is the same amount as Ulster, who were eliminated by Saracens in the last round.