Video: Chris Ashton’s wonder-try against Australia last year

Thursday, November 15, 2012
12:17 PM

Australia will be hoping that Chris Ashton does not repeat his Twickenham heroics on Saturday.

Six minutes into the second half of the 2010 Cook Cup game at Twickenham, England were leading Australia 19-6 but the Wallabies were mounting their first sustained attack of the match.

Australia were down to 14 men with Matt Giteau in the sin-bin but they were camped on England’s line, with Will Genia pulling the strings at scrum-half.

But England stood firm and not only secured the turnover but launched a devastating counter-attack, with Chris Ashton scoring one of the great Twickenham tries.

Here is how it unfolded:

46:03 - Australia were hammering away at England’s line when Genia spotted half a gap and tried a sniping run.

46:06 - But the gap closed quickly. Genia was stopped by Toby Flood and Tom Palmer. Mike Tindall drove in to help secure the turnover on England’s own line.

46:11 - Ben Youngs dug the ball out and dummied a clearance kick to take Quade Cooper out of the equation before scampering from behind England’s line.

46:13 - Youngs attacked a big blindside and passed to Courtney Lawes, who drew two Australian defenders before slipping a perfectly-timed pass to Ashton on the outside.

46:15 - Ashton caught the pass with his right hand and tucked the ball under his left arm. With around 85 metres to go he scorched clear down the touchline.

46:20 - Just before Ashton reached the halfway line he cut infield, forcing the last defender Drew Mitchell to turn back on himself. Ashton raced past him.

46:25 - Mitchell dived despairingly to try to tap-tackle Ashton but the England wing was too quick and raised his right arm in celebration as he reached the Australian line.

46:28 - Ashton crossed under the Australian posts to score his second try of the match with a trademark dive.

Click above to see a video of this wonderful try.