'That's what I do' – Wade keeps cool as history approaches

Christian Wade has 100 Prem tries, one behind the all-time record held by Chris Ashton, and the Newcastle Red Bulls winger has shown no signs of slowing down. Christian Wade is level with Tommy Freeman with five tries as the leading try-scorers in the Prem this season Talent, obviously. You do not get through the door without it. Longevity, absolutely. The ability to do it day after day, week after week should never be under-estimated. And adaptability, the desire for self-improvement, whether physical or mental to adapt to changes in rules, opponents, conditions. In Prem Rugby history, there have been few better than Christian Wade. The Newcastle Red Bulls winger sits on 100 career tries in the competition, one behind Chris Ashton's all-time record of 101.

A hat-trick away to Exeter Chiefs in their last Prem fixture meant Wade became only the second player to reach a century of tries. Now as Newcastle prepare to welcome Sale Sharks on Friday night (19:45 BST) as part of the league's derby weekend, the 35-year-old has his first opportunity to equal and then surpass Ashton's record. All this, over 15 years after scoring his first, and with spells in two other sports in that time means we are not in the company of an average sportsperson. Ashton's mark of 101 has stood for