REPORT: Scotland offer six-figure fee to sign Premiership star

Ashman, an international hooker, reportedly has two years remaining on his contract with Sale. The SRU hopes to pay a substantial transfer fee to bring Ashman to Scotland and release him from his club contract, with Edinburgh being the most likely destination.

This move is part of the SRU's effort to add younger players to the Edinburgh and Glasgow squads, ensuring better access to frontline players throughout the season.

Unlike players at Premiership clubs, players at Edinburgh and Glasgow are primarily contracted to the Scottish Rugby Union.

Ashman’s representative, Ryan Shahin of Twenty Sports Group, informed Telegraph Sport: “Ewan is one of the best young hookers in world rugby, so naturally there is interest in him and I am sure he is a big part of Scotland’s plans for the future, but as things stand he is under contract with Sale and remains fully committed to them”.

He’s since impressed in the Top 14 so much that former teammate Danny Cipriani believes he’s the best English winger in the world.

The fly-half wrote on Twitter: “This fella has left the country, had 4 years in a serious professional sport, come back and is still the best winger in England.