Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Corry says no to Ashton, hangs up boots(Taken From rugbydirt.com)

Martin Corry has declined Brian Ashton’s offer of a place in England’s squad for the Rugby Six Nations Championship.

Head coach Ashton is due to name his 32-man squad for the Six Nations championship on January 9 but according to Corry, a former national captain, has rejected his invitation to play in next month’s competition.

Corry, 34, doesn’t believe he can maintain his high standards in both international and domestic rugby. “It’s just a shame I am getting old,” he told the Guardian. “If I could carry on for the next 10 years I would because I genuinely love playing for Leicester and England.

“Brian rang me to say they were going to name me in the 32 and asked if that was what I wanted. Unfortunately, I just can’t keep doing it all. Something has to give if I want to keep playing to the required standard.”

Corry last appeared in the World Cup final defeat against South Africa in October. He earned 64 England caps as well as six for the British Lions. He captained England under Andy Robinson but was replaced by Phil Vickery 12 months ago when Ashton took control of England.

Following the retirements of Jason Robinson, Mike Catt and Lawrence Dallaglio for England’s first match against Wales at Twickenham on February 2, Ashton has a headache to deal with. If reports are to be believed, Ashton will call up youngsters James Haskell and Danny Cipriani.

“There's no point throwing youngsters in the deep end at once and telling them to sink or swim, because they would sink without trace," Ashton said recently. "The key word here is potential. We have a lot of very exciting individuals playing regularly in the Premiership, but there's a big difference between that - or the Saxons, come to that - and international rugby.




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