New Gloucester winger Christian Wade eyes Chris Ashton's Premiership try-scoring record - 'It is in my sights'

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After signing for Gloucester in the summer, Christian Wade is eyeing an impressive return to Gallagher Premiership rugby and has set Chris Ashton's try-scoring record of 101 firmly in his sights. Wade returned to club rugby in 2022 after a four-year spell in the NFL, and the former Wasps player - who is currently fifth on the Premiership all-time try-scoring list - wants to reach new heights.

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Gloucester summer signing Christian Wade is looking for an instant impact on his return to Gallagher Premiership rugby, as the 33-year-old looks to take Chris Ashton's try-scoring record.

Wade returns to English club rugby after a six-year absence, which saw him take up a four-year stint in the NFL, before returning to Racing 92 in 2022.

The former Wasps man sits fifth in the all-time try-scoring list in the English top-flight with 82, and the winger said he wants to better Ashton's record of 101.

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"It is in my sights and I obviously want to go for it," Wade told the Rugby Union Weekly podcast.

"I am not thinking about it now. Once I get closer then it’s like 'I've one or two more to go'."

Wade was a trailblazing figure in the NFL's International Player Pathway, which has since also been utilised by former Wales international Louis Rees-Zammit. The new Gloucester winger has returned to the division in which he previously made 165 appearances for Wasps during a seven-year spell.

The 33-year-old is looking to make an immediate return to his clinical try-scoring habits.

"For me it's two seasons, but I could do it in one," said Wade.

"People always ask me about the tries, and I've never really focused on them too much.

"There were probably two years when I was playing with Tom Varndell, who was always like 'tries, tries, tries'. And we were competing against each other.

"I just think you have to let it happen and if it happens, it happens."

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Wade added that he has "unfinished business" in the Premiership, after his Wasps side lost the 2017 final to Exeter.

"I stood up in front of the boys and [said] I'm coming back to the Premiership not for a jolly or to enjoy my last few years, I still haven't won a Premiership title and that's still my goal," Wade added.

"One of the big things about coming to Gloucester was the set-up they have down there...

"There is such a young group of lads but I feel like they haven't had the belief in their potential all the time or whether it's the consistency in their performances.

"But we've made a couple of signings this year, with Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe, and for me I really want to push forward, top four, and push for some titles. I guess it is unfinished business."

Gloucester face Saracens in their Premiership curtain-raiser on 21 September.

Watch and stream every game of the 2024/25 Gallagher Premiership season, the 2024 Autumn Nations Series and Premiership Women's Rugby on TNT Sports and discovery+

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