Ashton is a Euro try-machine
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European Cup try-machine Chris Ashton reckons Saracens are in top-form ahead of their winner-takes-all clash at Clermont Auvergne on Sunday.
The England wing scored two of his side's three tries as they toppled Munster 33-10 at Allianz Park in Round Five to set up a Pool One deciding match in France.
Ashton's double against Munster moved him above Gordon D'Arcy and Tommy Bowe in the all-time try-scoring list.
He has 27 from his 39 European appearances and is now joint fourth – level with Leinster legend Shane Horgan. And Ashton is hoping to make it five tries in six matches against Clermont.
"I love to score in every game but for some reason since I have been here, I've scored more in Europe than the Premiership," Ashton said.
"I try to get to that level every week but the Champions Cup is such a big competition with big crowds and big games that it does raise people and their performances.
Ashton is hoping to continue Saracens best form and claim their place in the last eight of the Champions Cup.
"It was the best performance this season [against Munster]," he added.
"We played well in the last Champions Cup game against Clermont but after that our form had been up and down and not where we wanted it to be.
"It was good to get back to our best form, it gives everyone confidence that we can still play like that and getting back to the level that we want to perform.
"To be in control of the game and put Munster under that sort of pressure was a massive boost for everyone."
"I've never been there [Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin] before but they tell me it's an unbelievable place to play and an extremely tough place to win," Ashton said of the upcoming trip to Clermont.
"We know the challenge ahead but we have raised ourselves for these games.
"We'll have to try and shock them as soon as we can."
@EPCRugby
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