>> Warriors eye move for Haskell
WORCESTER Warriors are deciding whether to make a play for England flanker James Haskell when he leaves Wasps at the end of the season. Dai Youngs’ Wasps have announced that Haskell and Danny Cipriani are both ending second spells with the club when their current contracts come to an end. It is understood that both players were shown the door by Young without any discussions about their future plans taking place. Haskell, 32, is keen to stay in the Premiership in a bid to force his way into Eddie Jones plans for the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
“My priority is to stay in the Premiership. I’m fully aware if I go outside of that, then it’s game over,” he said last week.
A move abroad to either Japan or France next season, however lucrative to his bank balance, would rule him out of Jones’ squad.
He has already played in France, Japan and New Zealand during his career and has no plans to explore that avenue for the time being.
Haskell is believed to be willing to take a pay cut in his estimated £250,000 a year wages if it means that his dream of a third World Cup is kept alive.
The Warriors are looking to replace Scotland international Dave Denton who has gone to Leicester Tigers, who ironically also looked at signing Haskell.
Northampton and Bristol, who are bidding to win promotion to the Premiership, have also looked at signing him.