I’ll take pay cut for a tilt at gold
JAMES HASKELL is ready to take a pay cut to keep his World Cup dream alive, because he believes England can pick up a pot of gold in Japan.
But his chances of getting there for a third crack at the tournament after two flops hinge on him securing a new contract somewhere in the Premiership.
The back rower will be released by Wasps at the end of the season and is looking for a new club, with Bristol and Northampton thought to be interested.
Haskell, 32, has played for the Highlanders in New Zealand, Stade Francais in Paris and the Ricoh Black Rams in Japan and is not scared of getting on his bike.
But a lucrative move away from the Premiership would rule him out of the England reckoning with Eddie Jones not allowed to pick players plying their trade abroad.
Haskell, thought to be on about £250,000 at Wasps, is willing to offer his services at cut-price to stay in the head coach’s World Cup reckoning.
He said: “You have to look at what your priorities are. To try to be in this England squad going towards a World Cup in Japan under Eddie Jones would essentially be a dream come true. It is a massive challenge but there would be a big pot of gold at the end of that rainbow.
“There is so much competition but you’ve just got to put yourself in the best position so when you finish you can look back and say you’ve sacrificed certain things to get what you want.
“When I was abroad, I learnt a lot about myself. I didn’t go to make money. In Super 15 I earned next to nothing, probably less than most academy players are on in the Premiership now.
“It was about going there and having an opportunity. I want to make sure I do everything I can to play in that World Cup. If I don’t get selected, at least I can say I gave it every chance.
“I missed out on 2007 narrowly, 2011 wasn’t great and 2015 wasn’t great. It is the desire to play in another one under Eddie because I believe we have an opportunity to go there and do something special. It is that rather than looking back and trying to avenge wrongs. If you live your life like that, it is not a great place to be.”
Haskell was dropped by Jones for the autumn internationals and has just served a four-week ban for a dangerous tackle on Harlequins centre Jamie Roberts.
Like Joe Marler, who was also suspended, he has been with England for three weeks of high-octane preparation, which went up a gear at Twickenham yesterday in a public training session – with Prince Harry among the 10,000 spectators – ahead of next Saturday’s clash with Scotland.
Jones had the whistle as he put England, minus Owen Farrell and Joe Launchbury, through their paces. Haskell was blowing afterwards but knows this is his last crack at a World Cup, and the end could come any time.
“You’re always trying the right things otherwise you’ll be out the door,” he said. “I’m sure there’s always a taxi waiting. Eddie jokes he has got my P45 in his pocket, laminated. So I do what I have to do. I love being here. Any slicing through the Sharks defence. The 26-year-old could now be in contention for Wales’ big showdown with Ireland in Dublin next Saturday.
Williams and Sale’s Rob Webber were both shown a yellow card for a fracas in the 32nd time you miss out, there is the potential for the end. I’ve made peace with the fact it is going to end at some point.
“The ideal scenario is you do as Richie McCaw, Ma’a Nonu and Dan Carter did, win a World Cup and finish on your own terms. How many players get to do that? Very few. Will it end as I want it to? Maybe not. As long as I keep getting invited in, do what I’m doing, I’ll have the time of my life.”
SCOTLAND’S hopes were boosted yesterday when props WP Nel and Zander Fagerson trained for the first time in this Six Nations campaign. minute but two penalties by Ben Spencer ensured Sarries recorded their fifth Aviva Premiership win in a row and moved them to the top of the table above Exeter, who play Wasps tomorrow.
Newcastle ended Bath’s run of four successive wins by claiming a bonus-point 29-12 triumph at Kingston Park.
Wing Sinoti Sinoti started the ball rolling with a try for the Falcons and he was joined on the scoresheet by former England fly-half Toby Flood, Kyle Cooper and Vereniki Goneva.