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 immovable barrier over the ball at the breakdown, particularly when England have taken it into contact. He is not a jackal and will not solve all of England’s breakdown issues but he has been asked to do a specific job and will not let Jones down.

Some would have preferred to see how Don Armand might have got on but in a much-changed team it makes perfect sense to reach for the comfort blanket of Haskell to take on a physical Irish pack. And if this is to be his last England game he will want to make it count.

The thought of retirement may scare him slightly less than others as he clearly has plans for life after rugby. He has a nutrition business and his fitness books are proving highly successful.

I do not think he will be lost from rugby entirely as I fully expect him to go on to become a top-class pundit, one who speaks his mind and never sits on the fence. And that last point is key with Haskell. He always speaks his mind and seems very human and relatable. He wears his heart on his sleeve and while that personality can rub people up the wrong way, I always admired him for it.

There was another aspect of his game I admired, too. For a period in my career I based my tackling technique on his, particularly his ability to change the momentum of a game or a series with one massive hit – just think of Haskell’s tackle on David Pocock when England triumphed 3-0 in Australia back in 2016. After watching him play I made it my goal to put in tackles that could actually be heard in the stands.

That hit on Pocock was a huge moment and came at what was probably the apex of his international career. He was ever-present as England won their first Grand Slam in 13 years and it was the type of success his commitment and dedication deserved. The only thing that would top it would be a tilt at the World Cup – but I do not believe he will make it that far. Instead, I think he will bow out after today. He will be desperate to do so in style.