James Haskell
Encyclopedia
James Haskell is an English professional Rugby Union
player who currently plays for the Top League
team Ricoh Black Rams
in Japan
and internationally for England
.
, and played for the Maidenhead Rugby Club, Berkshire, prior to joining London Wasps, where he was part of the highly successful Colts set up. Haskell, a six foot four Flanker had represented England at under-18, 19 and under-21 levels as well as having played for England Sevens
. In the 2007 Six Nations Haskell was called into the starting line up for the final game of the tournament for England
against Wales
at the Millennium Stadium
in Cardiff
, where he was part of a back-row that was for the first time in history provided by one club, Joe Worsley
and Tom Rees
were the other players from London Wasps. He is widely regarded as the successor to Lawrence Dallaglio
due to their similar styles of play, and played a prominent role in the England set up in the 2008 Six Nations. Haskell appeared in both tests of the 2008 summer tour of New Zealand.
Haskell was selected by Martin Johnson for the 2008/2009 Elite Player Squad on 1 July 2008. He appeared in all three autumn internationals
, starting against South Africa
. Haskell participated in every game of the 2009 Six Nations, though he lost his starting berth to Tom Croft
.
It was announced on 17 February 2009 that Haskell would join Top 14 side Stade Francais at the end of the 2008–2009 season.
His performances for Stade and injury to Tom Croft
meant he returned to the England squad, and he scored two tries against Wales in the first match of the 2010 Six Nations. He started all subsequent games. During a rest week in the Six Nations, Stade requested his return to Paris to face Toulouse that weekend. The RFU held firm, however, and he remained in England.
In 2009 Haskell joined Lucozade Sport as an Ambassador. He announced at the end of the 2010-2011 season that he had been released from his contract at Stade Francais, and would instead be rejoining London Wasps at the start of the 2012-13 season. During the season after the World Cup, he would play in Japan for the Rams, before seeking a Super Rugby contract for the rest of the season.
In 2011, Haskell agreed to join the New Zealand Highlanders franchise in the Super Rugby tournament, saying he has always wanted to play in new environments and to "improve and become a better player for England".
were involved in a sex tape scandal.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
player who currently plays for the Top League
Top League
The Top League is a professional rugby union league created by the Japan Rugby Football Union to drive up the overall standard and popularity of the sport in the country and improve the results of the Japan national rugby union team. The first season was 2003-04 and featured 12 teams...
team Ricoh Black Rams
Ricoh Black Rams
Ricoh Black Rams is a Japanese rugby union team in the Top League. Placed 10th in the 2004-5 season which meant it had to win a play-off against one of the top regional teams to stay in the league, as it did.Slogan for 2006 season: TAFU...
in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and internationally for England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
.
Career
Haskell was born in Windsor, BerkshireWindsor, Berkshire
Windsor is an affluent suburban town and unparished area in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire, England. It is widely known as the site of Windsor Castle, one of the official residences of the British Royal Family....
, and played for the Maidenhead Rugby Club, Berkshire, prior to joining London Wasps, where he was part of the highly successful Colts set up. Haskell, a six foot four Flanker had represented England at under-18, 19 and under-21 levels as well as having played for England Sevens
England national rugby union team (sevens)
The English national rugby union sevens team compete in the World Sevens Series, Rugby World Cup Sevens and the Commonwealth Games.-Honours:* 1973 International Seven-A-Side Tournament - Winners* Rugby World Cup Sevens Winners 1993* Hong Kong Sevens Winners 2002* Hong Kong Sevens Winners 2003*...
. In the 2007 Six Nations Haskell was called into the starting line up for the final game of the tournament for England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
against Wales
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
at the Millennium Stadium
Millennium Stadium
The Millennium Stadium is the national stadium of Wales, located in the capital, Cardiff. It is the home of the Wales national rugby union team and also frequently stages games of the Wales national football team, but is also host to many other large scale events, such as the Super Special Stage...
in Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
, where he was part of a back-row that was for the first time in history provided by one club, Joe Worsley
Joe Worsley
Joseph Paul Richard Worsley MBE is a retired English rugby union player who played flanker for Wasps and England.-Biography:...
and Tom Rees
Tom Rees (rugby player)
Thomas Rees is a rugby union footballer who plays flanker for London Wasps and has represented England at senior, Under-21, Under-19, Under-18 and Under-16 levels as well as sevens.-Career:...
were the other players from London Wasps. He is widely regarded as the successor to Lawrence Dallaglio
Lawrence Dallaglio
Lorenzo Bruno Nero "Lawrence" Dallaglio, OBE is a retired English rugby union player and former captain of the English national team. He played as a flanker or number eight for London Wasps and never played for another club, having arrived at Sudbury as a teenager...
due to their similar styles of play, and played a prominent role in the England set up in the 2008 Six Nations. Haskell appeared in both tests of the 2008 summer tour of New Zealand.
Haskell was selected by Martin Johnson for the 2008/2009 Elite Player Squad on 1 July 2008. He appeared in all three autumn internationals
2008 end of year rugby tests
The 2008 end of year rugby tests, also known as the Autumn internationals saw Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, the Pacific Islanders and Canada tour the northern hemisphere. The tour ended with the traditional 'final challenge' Barbarians match, against Australia, which was the...
, starting against South Africa
South Africa national rugby union team
The South African national rugby union team are 2009 British and Irish Lions Series winners. They are currently ranked as the fourth best team in the IRB World Rankings and were named 2008 World Team of the Year at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards.Although South Africa was instrumental...
. Haskell participated in every game of the 2009 Six Nations, though he lost his starting berth to Tom Croft
Tom Croft
Tom Croft, born 7 November 1985 in Basingstoke, England, is a rugby union player for Leicester Tigers in the Aviva Premiership.-Background:Croft's best position is blindside flanker, but he can fill in at openside flanker , and lock...
.
It was announced on 17 February 2009 that Haskell would join Top 14 side Stade Francais at the end of the 2008–2009 season.
His performances for Stade and injury to Tom Croft
Tom Croft
Tom Croft, born 7 November 1985 in Basingstoke, England, is a rugby union player for Leicester Tigers in the Aviva Premiership.-Background:Croft's best position is blindside flanker, but he can fill in at openside flanker , and lock...
meant he returned to the England squad, and he scored two tries against Wales in the first match of the 2010 Six Nations. He started all subsequent games. During a rest week in the Six Nations, Stade requested his return to Paris to face Toulouse that weekend. The RFU held firm, however, and he remained in England.
In 2009 Haskell joined Lucozade Sport as an Ambassador. He announced at the end of the 2010-2011 season that he had been released from his contract at Stade Francais, and would instead be rejoining London Wasps at the start of the 2012-13 season. During the season after the World Cup, he would play in Japan for the Rams, before seeking a Super Rugby contract for the rest of the season.
In 2011, Haskell agreed to join the New Zealand Highlanders franchise in the Super Rugby tournament, saying he has always wanted to play in new environments and to "improve and become a better player for England".
Personal life
In 2003, Haskell was suspended from Wellington College, after he and Paul Doran-JonesPaul Doran-Jones
Paul Doran-Jones is a rugby union footballer, currently playing in the Aviva Premiership for Northampton Saints. He plays as a prop.-Club career:...
were involved in a sex tape scandal.