It was tough to move on Haskell - Dai

JAMES Haskell is ‘still playing decent rugby’ according to Wasps chief Dai Young – but the decision to not renew his contract was to help ‘move the club forward’.

The 75-times capped England international (pictured) is searching for a new club after Wasps announced last week his contract would not be renewed for the 2018/19 campaign.

“Hask has been a phenomenal servant,” said Young.

“He’s still playing decent rugby and he’s got rugby left in him but unfortunately we have to move the club forward and we have to make some tough decisions.”

Haskell is the second back-row to be leaving Wasps at the end of the season following Guy Thompson’s impending switch to Leicester Tigers.

“Both James Haskell and Guy Thompson have been fantastic for us. We picked Guy up from Jersey a number of seasons ago, playing in the Championship,” said Young.

“I remember a lot of people telling me then that he’d never make it in the Premiership because he was too small but I think he’s proved everyone wrong on that.

“He’s been fantastic for us and he’s one of the best carriers in the game so he’s been great for us but he’s moving to pastures green.”

With Danny Cipriani unlikely to remain at the Ricoh Arena next season, Wasps are clearing the decks of three players over the 30 age bracket while Lima Sopoaga (27) and Brad Shields (26) head in the opposite direction.

“I’ve always said that at some point, with the salary cap and keeping the players we want to keep, in trying to move the club forward by bringing in younger guys for a longer period, at some point there’s going to be casualties,” said Young.

“Unfortunately that’s professional rugby, it’s not great or something we enjoy but at some point it happens to all of us.”