Haskell hitting the right note

JAMES HASKELL suffered more stage fright in front of 4,000 farmers than he ever has in front of a full house at Twickenham.

The England flanker, 33, a part-time DJ, was on stage at the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs Convention in Blackpool in May.

“I’m as musically talented as a house brick,” said Haskell. “I deejayed for 4,000 young farmers and it was incredible, the closest thing to playing a game.

“You walk out at Twickenham to 80,000 people and don’t notice the crowd. When I walked out on stage, I underestimated it. There were 4,000 people and me and their whole night was defined by whether I played good or bad music.”

Haskell spent 12 years at Wasps in two spells and has also played at Stade Francais, the Highlanders in New Zealand and Ricoh Black Rams in Japan. He could have opted for another stint overseas, but a talk with England coach Eddie Jones persuaded him to stay in the Premiership with Northampton ahead of next year’s World Cup.

“He was very clear you have to perform,” he said. “If you are playing well then you have a role to play in this squad – if you are not, you don’t.” HASKELL JUDD TRUMP crashed out in the second round of the World Open to Gary Wilson.

The 28-year-old lost 5-3 to world No41 Wilson in China after being shunted out to the wilds of table four. World No5 Trump said: “I was a bit rusty, it was my first tournament of the season. It’s hard playing on the outside tables.”

Jack Lisowski raced into the last 16 with a 5-1 win over Masters champion Mark Allen. DEONTAY WILDER is planning to travel to Belfast next week to watch Tyson Fury ahead of their possible heavyweight showdown this year – but only if the deal is done for the American to defend his WBC title against the Briton.

Wilder wants to see Fury face Francesco Pianeta and then promote a November clash in Las Vegas.

Fury is adamant he will fight Wilder this year but those close to him do not want to commit until they see him against Pianeta.