Ashton attacked on night out

London - Saracens announced that England winger Chris Ashton sustained minor cuts to his face after being attacked while on a night out celebrating an anniversary with his girlfriend.

The English club said a stranger approached a group of Saracens players, who were out with wives and girlfriends in London on Saturday. A friend of the stranger was then involved in a "brief altercation" with Ashton, who was attacked with a glass.

The 25-year-old Ashton didn't require stitches.

Saracens chief executive Edward Griffiths said in a statement released on Sunday "for clarity, Chris Ashton is not in trouble at all. On the contrary, he... showed admirable restraint."

Ashton is a regular in the England team, scoring 15 tries in 26 appearances. He is in his first season with London club Saracens.