Ashton Golding

Ashton Golding (born 4 September 1996) is a international rugby league footballer who plays as a utility for the Castleford Tigers in the Super League.

Golding began his career with the Leeds Rhinos, where he had progressed through the academy. He spent six years in the Super League with Leeds, during which time he also played for Featherstone Rovers in the Championship on loan. Golding joined the Huddersfield Giants in 2020, where he would go on to make over 100 appearances and feature in the 2022 Challenge Cup final. His stay also included a short loan spell at Bradford Bulls in the Championship. He signed for the Castleford Tigers in 2026.

Described as a utility player, Golding has played in several positions during his career, most recently being utilised primarily as a or . He has also operated as a er or , as well as deputising at and . He grew up in Stanningley, West Yorkshire, and is of Jamaican descent.

He attended Priesthorpe School and studied sports science at Leeds Beckett University.

Golding played junior rugby league for amateur club Stanningley SARLFC before joining the Leeds Rhinos academy system. In 2014, he was named under-19s player of the season.

Club career Leeds Rhinos Golding made his Super League debut for Leeds in August 2014, brought on as an interchange against London Broncos. In October 2014, he signed a four-year deal with Leeds. He was drafted into the team on three further occasions in the 2015 season.

Golding was included in Brian McDermott's 25-man senior squad for 2016. He was understudy to the transfer-listed Hardaker at fullback, though registered most of his starts on the wing. He made thirteen appearances and scored three tries for Leeds, as well as playing on dual registration at Featherstone in the Championship. He earned praise for an outstanding defensive performance against St Helens in round 1. He signed a new five-year contract in May having established himself as the Rhinos' first-choice fullback,

Huddersfield Giants In 2020, Golding signed for Huddersfield Giants.

On 26 May 2021, it was reported that he had signed for Bradford in the RFL Championship on loan.

On 28 May 2022, Golding played for Huddersfield in their 2022 Challenge Cup final loss to Wigan.

Golding was limited to only eight matches with Huddersfield in the 2023 Super League season as the club finished ninth on the table and missed the playoffs.

Golding played 19 games for Huddersfield in the 2024 Super League season which saw the club finish 9th on the table.

Golding played 27 games for Huddersfield in the 2025 Super League season as the club finished 10th on the table.

On 16 November 2025, Golding departed Huddersfield by mutual consent.

Castleford Tigers On 18 February 2026, Castleford Tigers announced the signing of Golding on a deal until the end of the 2026 season. Though his signing was announced shortly following a long-term injury to fullback Blake Taaffe, Tigers head coach Ryan Carr – whom Golding had previously played under at Featherstone – confirmed he was brought in to cover several positions across the forwards and backs. He made his debut in round 3 against former team Huddersfield, crossing for a late try to seal victory.

International career Golding played for Academy in 2014 and was named man-of-the-match in their win against the Australian Schoolboys. He scored a try on debut as Jamaica fell to a 34–12 defeat at Stade Gilbert Brutus.

Golding was one of two Super League players to be selected in Jamaica's 29-man squad for the 2018 Americas Rugby League Championship held at Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. He scored a try in their semi-final win against and was named man-of-the-match in their 10–16 victory over the in the final. This marked Jamaica's first ever win against the USA and secured qualification to the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.

In October 2019, he featured at fullback for Jamaica against the England Knights at Headingley Rugby Stadium.

On 15 October 2021, Golding played for Jamaica against the England Knights at Wheldon Road. The following week, he played in Jamaica's 30–30 draw with at Post Office Road.

In October 2022, Golding was appointed captain of the Jamaica national team ahead of the 2021 World Cup, their maiden tournament. He played in a warm-up match against Cumbria. He was assigned the number 13 shirt and played in all three matches of the campaign, against , and , as Jamaica exited at the group stage.

On 25 October 2025, Golding captained Jamaica in their 2026 World Cup qualifying play-off against . They were defeated 36–0 at Stade Municipal d'Albi and were unable to secure a place at a second consecutive World Cup.

Statistics

+ Appearances and points in all competitions by year Club Season Tier Leeds Rhinos 2014 Super League 1 0 0 0 0 2015 Super League 4 0 0 0 0 2016 Super League 13 3 0 0 12 2017 Super League 22 3 14 0 40 2018 Super League 22 6 0 0 24 2019 Super League 1 2 0 0 8 Total 63 14 14 0 84 → Featherstone Rovers (loan) 2016 Championship 3 2 0 0 8 2019 Championship 22 7 0 0 28 Total 25 9 0 0 36 Huddersfield Giants 2020 Super League 11 2 0 0 8 2021 Super League 10 1 0 0 4 2022 Super League 22 2 0 0 8 2023 Super League 8 3 0 0 12 2024 Super League 22 1 0 0 4 2025 Super League 29 1 0 0 4 Total 102 10 0 0 40 → Bradford Bulls (loan) 2021 Championship 2 1 0 0 4 Castleford Tigers 2026 Super League 5 3 0 0 12 Career total 197 37 14 0 176