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Haskell 'will be hurting' - Moody

By Peter Hanson
James Haskell

James Haskell will be itching to prove a point after learning of his release from Wasps and will have plenty of suitors, according to former England team-mate Lewis Moody.

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Powerhouse back-rower Haskell, who has 75 England caps, rose through the ranks at Wasps and returned to the club in 2013 having enjoyed spells at Stade Francais, Ricoh Black Rams and Highlanders in between.

This week, the Premiership outfit confirmed that Haskell’s contract, which runs out at the end of the season, will not be renewed, leaving the 32-year-old at a crossroads in his career.

Haskell is said to be keen to remain in England with next year’s Rugby World Cup in his sights and described himself as “disappointed and sad” at his release.

World Cup winner Moody has little doubt that someone will take a punt on Haskell.

“James’ form over the last few years shows he’s capable of still delivering high-quality rugby,” Moody, a Land Rover ambassador, told Omnisport. 

“He’ll be hurting that he’s not part of the England set-up at the minute, and if the rumours are true that it’s Wasps that let him go rather than being his choice, then he’ll be hurting as well and wanting to prove them wrong and show there’s still life in those old legs yet. 

“Sadly, it’s that time in any sportsman’s career that you realise the end is coming, but you want it to be on your terms and I hope James has the opportunity to decide that on his terms.

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“I’m sure we’ll be seeing a move to another club, whether that be foreign fields or teams in the Premiership who will want his services.”

Lewis Moody is a Land Rover ambassador. Land Rover has a heritage in rugby at all levels; from grassroots to elite, supporting the game for two decades. @LandRoverRugby #WeDealInReal 

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J
JW 2 hours ago
The stats show the club v country wounds may never heal

Oh the team is fully made up of those types of players I mentioned, that's for sure, but it's still the same thing (even more relevant when you look at some modern Rugby nations). You also defeated you're own point by showing that league didn't have to add those teams to have the international ticking over.


Don't forget England. Though I can accept if you try to argue Gallagher started the trend first the other way!


Union doesn't have to do that but the question of which area leads the game forward remains. It may well end up being the club/provincial game simply because of the volume of fixtures - and primacy of contract.

What are your idea's that "leading" the game entails? A club body that takes over from World Rugby if say whatever you're talking about was to sway the 'club' way? I don't really know why you're trying to demean League, are you worried that's all Union would turn into? Just looking at them now I see it kicked started their own league and they now have a rep team of locals, much the same sort of impetus behind Moana Pasifika and Drua. It was always only a good thing to me and wonder if this means you're leading down the capitalist path not appreciating that?


If you're just talking about the current situation, why would anything change? Perhaps in a non Test Championship year it's the Lions and maybe others should focus on a single tour rather than globe trotting. I certainly think the International game is maxxed out now with 5 or 6 game regional games and the same intercontinentally.


Perhaps a very unique country like NZ may take their brand around the world but even they are surely going to see the most growth in the other half of the season. The domestic season?

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