I’LL CUT THE HASKING PRICE

Out-of-contract Haskell will take pay cut to fulfil World Cup dream

JAMES HASKELL is ready to take a pay cut in order to keep alive his England World Cup dream.

He is without a club for next season after Wasps decided he will be released this summer.

And with Rugby Football Union rules dictating Eddie Jones can pick only English-based players, Haskell’s options are limited.

“I want to stay in the Premiership but it’s not an easy decision to make,” he said after returning from suspension and training at Twickenham in front of Prince Harry and 10,000 England fans.

“I’m fully aware if I go outside of that it’s game over. They are not going to make a dispensation for me, sadly.”

It was “100 per cent” that he may have to accept a drop in wages, he added. Haskell, 32, is on six figures at Wasps and hinted he could be in the market for a one-year deal to cover the World Cup – before reviewing his options.

“I have to look at what’s important to me,” said the flanker, who is thought to interest Bristol and Northampton.

“My priority is to try to be in this England squad going towards a World Cup in Japan under Eddie Jones. There would be a big pot of gold at the end of that rainbow.”

With 75 appearances, Haskell is England’s 11th most-capped player. Yet he claims Wasps did not try to keep him. We never discussed anything,” he said.

“I never sat down with anyone, no one ever talked to anyone, ever.

“I’ve a few options on the table in terms of what’s possible and what’s not but I don’t want to go to a place and not perform or not get better as a player.

“When I was abroad, in Japan, New Zealand and France, I learnt a lot about myself and it was not about the mercenary element.

“I didn’t go to take 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 that doesn’t happen and I don’t get selected at least I can say I gave it every opportunity.”