Tuesday 20 September 2016 17:55, UK
Will Greenwood says Chris Ashton is the Mario Balotelli of the rugby world and cannot help landing himself in trouble.
The Saracens winger is at the centre of another controversy after an alleged biting incident during the 27-12 win over Northampton Saints on Saturday.
Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder confirmed after the game that prop Alex Waller said he had been bitten on the hand and Ashton, who missed England's Six Nations success earlier this year following a 10-week ban for making contact with an opponent's eye, could face another lengthy suspension if he is found guilty after being cited for two separate incidents involving Waller in the 24th and 25th minutes of the match.
But Greenwood insists Ashton is a "good lad" who plays on instinct.
"He had a tough ban and came back from that and contributed hugely to Saracens completing a wonderful double," Greenwood told Sky Sports News HQ. "He just finds himself in situations he shouldn't get into.
"We asked why he does these things and he said 'I don't know why I do it. I don't mean to. I say to myself I'm not going to do it'."
Balotelli has been a controversial figure throughout his career and gained headlines in October 2011 when he revealed a t-shirt with the words 'Why Always Me?' written on it after scoring for Manchester City against rivals United.
"Chris is an instinctive player and gets caught in daft situations," added Greenwood. "We have to find out exactly what's happened, but he's clickbait. People want to know what's going on, asking 'why is he always getting involved in this?' He's the Mario Balotelli - someone give him a T-shirt, 'Why Always Me?'
"He just seems to attract those things. For all these incidents he's a really nice bloke. Now if you bite someone, you bite someone, but he's a good lad and a really good rugby player."
