Christian Wade has equalled Chris Ashton’s all-time try-scoring record in English rugby’s top flight, reaching 101 tries after a blistering start to the Gallagher Premiership season with the Newcastle Red Bulls. Wade notched up scores in his first matches, hitting the century mark against Sale Sharks on Friday 23 October, and now sits alongside Ashton at the summit of the competition’s historical charts.
The Chasing Pack and Historical Rivals
Ashton and Wade share the number-one spot with 101 tries apiece, though they reached the milestone via different routes. Ashton crossed the whitewash for six different Premiership employers—Northampton Saints, Saracens, Sale Sharks, Harlequins, Worcester Warriors, and Leicester Tigers—becoming the first player to break the century mark. Wade secured his century across spells with Wasps, Gloucester, and Newcastle, punctuated by stints playing abroad and in the NFL.
Behind the leading pair, Tom Varndell sits third with 92 tries. Varndell held the all-time scoring record for five years until Ashton surpassed him with a hat-trick for Leicester in 2022. Mark Cueto occupies fourth place with 90 tries, maintaining the record for the most tries scored for a single club after spending his entire career with Sale Sharks.
| Rank | Player | Tries | Clubs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1= | Chris Ashton | 101 | Northampton, Saracens, Sale, Quins, Worcester, Leicester |
| 1= | Christian Wade | 101 | Wasps, Gloucester, Newcastle |
| 3 | Tom Varndell | 92 | Leicester, Wasps, Bristol |
| 4 | Mark Cueto | 90 | Sale Sharks |
| 5 | Danny Care | 85 | Leeds, Harlequins |
The Complete All-Time Top Ten Finishers
Rounding out the upper echelon of English rugby finishers are several long-serving stalwarts. Scrum-half Danny Care sits fifth with 85 tries, earning the distinction of being the only player in the top ten who does not ply his trade in the back three. Care amassed his total over nearly two decades behind the Harlequins scrum.
Jonny May stands sixth with 78 tries split between Gloucester Rugby and Leicester Tigers, while Steve Hanley recorded 75 tries for Sale Sharks. Hanley holds the most efficient strike rate on the list, crossing the whitewash once every 1.8 matches before a back injury curtailed his career at 29.
Mike Brown notched 72 tries across appearances for Harlequins, Newcastle Falcons, and Leicester Tigers. Matt Banahan contributed 71 tries for Bath Rugby and Gloucester Rugby after transitioning from the back-row, and Paul Sackey concluded his career with 69 tries across spells with Bedford Blues, London Irish, Wasps, and Harlequins.
Active Contenders Eyeing the Record Books
Wade has the immediate opportunity to claim the outright record if he crosses the try line against Saracens. Meanwhile, several active players are positioning themselves to break into the elite top ten in the coming fixtures.
Ollie Hassell-Collins leads the chasing group with 63 tries split between London Irish and Leicester Tigers. Tommy Freeman follows closely with 60 tries for Northampton Saints, and Cadan Murley has accumulated 56 tries for Harlequins. In terms of single-season output, Sam Simmonds holds the benchmark for tries scored in a regular campaign, touching down 20 times for Exeter Chiefs during the 2020-21 season.
Disclaimer: The fantasy and market insights provided are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial or betting advice.
