Haskell has been fine servant, but today looks like his farewell

Unless England suffer a glut of back-row injuries at some point over the next 18 months I think today’s game against Ireland will be James Haskell’s last international appearance.

He has been a fine servant for England, maximising his talent and richly deserving every one of his 76 caps. But at the age of 32

I feel England and Eddie Jones will try to move on after today, with the summer tour to South Africa the perfect time to look at newer, younger alternatives.

In saying that I am well aware Haskell (right) has made a habit of proving people wrong. We all thought his international career was over when he was dropped ahead of the autumn Tests but here he is, the England No7 shirt on his back and a Grand Slam on the line, albeit not in the manner he and England would have wanted.

That he keeps coming back is a testament to him but also underlines how, to my mind, he has become almost a comfort blanket whenever England have back-row issues. If they have struggled at winning the collisions or are being pushed off the ball at the breakdown, he has immediately got the call, and with good reason. England were vastly improved in both those areas when he came on against France and it was logical he got the nod to start today.

When Jones selects Haskell he knows exactly what he is going to get – a huge physical presence, forceful tackling and absolute commitment. There is nothing subtle about Haskell but there does not need to be. Today he has been picked to run hard, smash as many people as possible and form an