Warrington Wolves head coach Sam Burgess has thrown his full support behind Matty Ashton for an England call-up, praising the star winger’s remarkable return from a long-term injury lay-off.
The prolific Wire flyer has enjoyed a sensational campaign in primrose and blue, crossing the whitewash for his 100th Super League try while establishing himself as one of the competition’s most lethal wingers.
Following his side’s physical play-off run, Burgess heaped praise on the 27-year-old, highlighting not just his speed and finishing capability, but his inspiring resilience after returning from a serious ACL knee injury.
Burgess pointed to Ashton’s breakaway score as a defining moment of his growth this season: “He loves competing. It’s nice to see him in the clear. I think it’s his first one where he’s got away,
“He keeps being snatched at the last moment in those little breakaways. It’s nice for him to get one in the clear.”
Passing the century mark for tries in Super League represents a monumental personal milestone for the winger, but it is his relentless consistency post-injury that has impressed his head coach the most.
“It’s a good milestone for Matty,” Burgess said. “I think he’s been very consistent, considering his return from the ACL. I’m pretty proud of his year because we didn’t expect him to be where he is.”
“It’s always hard coming back from the ACL. They always say 12 months after the return is when you see them at their best,
“It’s the same with Hoppa [Albert Hopoate] on the other side who is returning from his third ACL, and he’s in that first year of it. I’m really proud of both of them and the level they’ve been able to perform at each week.”
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Burgess backs Wire speedster for international honours
With international fixtures looming at the end of the domestic campaign, Burgess believes Ashton has firmly put himself in the frame for a place in Shaun Wane’s England setup.
When asked whether the Wire flyer deserves a spot in the national side, the England legend insisted Ashton’s combination of raw speed and tireless work ethic places him among the elite wingers in the country.
“I think he’s been talked about, isn’t he?” Burgess declared. “I think he’s been talked about in, you’d have to say, in the top three or four wingers across the English league.”
“I’m sure Brian Mac [McDermott] has been watching him, but you’d think he’d be there or thereabouts. He’s got a bit of X factor.Â
“When he gets in the clear, he has a chance of scoring, and then also, his work rate is unbelievable. What he does for the team, the boys love him. He’s hard-working; he never shirks his responsibility, and the players have got a bit of time for that.”
