Wade closes on try record as Prem opens with 52-try blitz

England's Prem season has started with a record rush of tries — and with Christian Wade chasing history again.

Fifty-two tries were scored across five matches in the opening round, a record for an opening weekend in Prem Rugby, England's top men's union division. That is more than 10 tries per game. Four players scored hat-tricks, three tries in a single match, in the same round BBC Sport.

Wade played his part in the scoring spree. The 35-year-old winger scored twice for Newcastle Red Bulls in their 59-26 defeat away at Northampton Saints. A try, union's main scoring play worth five points, remains his currency.

Those two scores took Wade to 97 career tries in Prem Rugby. He now sits four behind Chris Ashton's all-time record of 101 BBC Sport.

It is a sharp change of pace. Wade managed only two Prem tries last season after returning to union with Newcastle last December following a spell in rugby league with Wigan Warriors. League is the 13-a-side code, played without the rucks and mauls that decide possession in union.

His hunt for Ashton has been a long one. Wade scored his first Prem try for Wasps more than 15 years ago. His league tally has since been spread across Wasps, Gloucester and Newcastle.

Newcastle head coach Dan McFarland has backed the veteran to keep climbing. Wade needs sharp service and open field. Saints gave him little room for a result, but they could not stop him touching down twice.

What makes this stand out is the timing. At 35, wingers are often expected to slow down. Wade is still finding the corner, still beating defenders for pace.

For fans, this means the record is suddenly in view. Ashton stands alone as the league's only centurion. Wade needs four more to join him, then one more to take the record outright. With defences leaking tries at this rate, he may not have to wait long.