James Haskell: I’m at the peak of my game
And the Wasps star has a simple message to the Australian given the task of ressurecting the fortunes of the national side: “I’m in the peak of my career.”
Haskell, below, feared he may be one of the victims of England‘s World Cup failure.
Yet now it seems Jones is ready to let him vie for Chris Robshaw‘s No.7 jersey, and play him as openside in England’s opening Six Nations clash.
For Haskell it would be a huge chance to cement his place in the side having started just one World Cup game.
That was the dead rubber against Uruguay after being used as a replacement by Stuart Lancaster who saw him more as a No.8.
The forward, capped 62 times, insisted: “I’m 30, not 35, I’ve still have an awful lot to give.
“Since turning 30 I have been shocked at people’s perceived ageism. I suppose it’s because I started with Wasps when I was just 17 and have been a professional for over 13 years. The world at large think I have been around forever.
“I guess people just subconsciously add another six or so years! But I see it as the culmination of a full maturing process, I feel I am just about reaching my peak.
“I’m haunted by the fear of not fulfilling my talent. I wake up every day and make notes about how I can get better and what I want to do to improve.
“You’ve only got one opportunity, one career; you have to make the most of it.
“I’ll keep playing and trying to get selected. I will keep trying to be the first name on the team sheet until someone taps me on the shoulder and says: ‘You are not good enough’, or my body lets me down.
“Right now, I feel great. It’s been a good few months with Wasps since the World Cup ended.”
GARY FITZGERALD
