Haskell prepared to put his body on the line
FOR Wasps and England flanker James Haskell, the well-worn phrase ‘from head to toe’ has never had more resonance.
It is somehow difficult to take an injury to an 18-stone muscle-bound giant’s tootsie overly seriously, but for the powerhouse back-rower it was no laughing matter.
After missing England’s third test win in Australia with the complaint, which caused his toe to almost detach from the rest of his foot, Haskell underwent an operation, then seven months of rehab, before making his return from the bench in the derby game with Leicester.
Only 35 seconds later, the focus switched upstairs, as a substantial blow to Haskell’s distinctive red scrum cap left him concussed, back on the sidelines and, much to his chagrin, the subject of a fair amount of ribbing from his teammates.
Despite subsequently managing to play 50 minutes in Wasps’ European Cup win in Zebre, this lack of action left Haskell pretty under-cooked at the start of the Six Nations. He has also accepted he will need to manage an element of discomfort in his foot through the remainder of his playing days, which he hopes will reach the 2019 World Cup.
“I was well looked after by Wasps and England, I didn’t feel inhibited by it through the Six Nations, and it is the kind of injury that should get better and better,” he says.
“Everyone has lots of injuries they have to deal with through the rest of their career, and this is another one on the list with my bent fingers.
“I haven’t been 100 per cent fit since I was 15 – I don’t think any player is – especially towards this time of the season.
“If I can make it to 2019 I will be able to relax after that – and donate my body to medical science!”
Haskell says he accepted some years ago that wearand-tear is an occupational hazard for a top-level forward, and the recent sevenmonth break has served to confirm this.
“People ask if the seven months I’ve just missed will help me stay fresh,” he says, “but once you’ve passed a certain point in your career it makes very little difference physically. The way I play the game means I’m battered and bruised most of the time regardless. “Where not having as much game-time does help is with not being mentally weary. Back in the day you could play games late in the season on emotion, but now you need a good game-plan, good people around you and that mental side of it, so it does help with that.” The long-term medical impact of professional rugby is an area where serious concerns exist. Perhaps typically of a player still in his prime, Haskell is not looking too far ahead, and also believes progress in sports science and nutrition will help the current generation.
“You do sit round as players sometimes and talk about how your bodies will be in 50 years’ time,” he says.
“I won’t name any names, but we were laughing at some of the old players who come to England training as coaches of other teams, and when you look at them they are absolutely smashed up.
“My one consolation is to look after myself now as well as I can, and carry on with that when I stop playing. Hopefully that enables me to walk up and down the stairs properly, but we’ll see!” LONG-SERVING hooker and head of Coventry’s thriving community rugby programme Matt Price has been awarded a testimonial in recognition of his achievements and on-going commitment to the National League One club.
The 34-year-old, who is in his seventh season at Butts Park and has made 174 appearances, will also extend his stay next season in a new player-coach role with responsibility for the club’s new Player and Coach Development Academy which will be launched later this week.
“Matt is our current mostcapped player, he is leading our ever-expanding community programme and he is developing his coaching with the club by kickstarting our new Development Academy which will see the next generation of rugby players and coaches develop their skills,” said director of rugby Rowland Winter.
“He is a committed leader who drives the team on the pitch and the future of the club off the pitch, which is something we want to recognise.
“He is a real asset for Coventry and I am delighted that he is beginning the transition into coaching whilst still contributing on the pitch.”
Second row forward Tom Poole has also re-signed for a sixth season with Cov, who have also confirmed the promotion to next season’s senior squad of loose head prop Jake Byrne from the development squad.
Poole, 28, passed 100 appearances for Cov earlier this season and has been a tireless worker in the engine room of the pack, while 20-year-old Byrne has established himself as one for the future in his four first XV appearances so far.
Said Winter: “Tom is a club man, and a real grafter who has improved throughout the season and gives his all for the team and club.
“He does a lot of the unseen work and is a key part to our team succeeding.
“Jake is just starting his rugby journey and we see lots of potential in him.
“He has to continue to work hard so that he realises that potential, and he is in the best place to do that.”