James Haskell retires: Northampton and England flanker sees Rugby World Cup dream end after announcing retirement

England head coach Eddie Jones paid tribute to the retiring Haskell by labelling him as ‘one of the game’s great characters’

James Haskell’s dream to sign off his career at the Rugby World Cup this year has ended after the Northampton Saints and England flanker confirmed he will retire at the end of the season.

Haskell joined Northampton from Wasps last summer in an effort to remain in Eddie Jones’s England squad and make the 31-man squad that will travel to Japan in September, but has suffered an injury-ravaged campaign that has resulted in the 34-year-old missing more games than he has played.

The British and Irish Lions tourist has revealed that the decision to hang up the boots this month comes with regrets, having not experienced the feeling of winning the World Cup or having the honour of pulling on the famous Barbarians jersey.

“Retiring is obviously a really difficult decision for me to make; professional rugby has been the centre of my life for such a long time now and while it’s weird to imagine living without it, I look to the future with huge excitement,” Haskell said.

“I look back at my career and have been very lucky to have done most things there are to do in rugby. Sadly, I will never know what it’s like to win a World Cup or represent the Barbarians.”

Haskell returned from a two-month toe injury lay-off at the start of April in an effort to force his way back into the international fold, but he has also suffered badly from ankle setbacks this season and in his absence the likes of Tom Curry, Sam Underhill and Mark Wilson have all usurped him in the England back-row pecking order.

He will end his career with 77 caps to his name and two World Cups in 2011 and 2015, while he was part of the Lions squad that drew with New Zealand two years ago. Haskell was a key figure in the 2016 Six Nations Grand Slam and 2017 championship retention, adding to the 2011 success in which he started every match under Martin Johnson.

At club level, Haskell is one of the England’s most well-travelled internationals after taking five seasons to gain experience abroad with France’s Stade Francais, Japan’s Ricoh Black Rams and New Zealand Super Rugby side the Highlanders, before returning to childhood club Wasps where he made more than 200 appearances.

“I have loved every minute of my career in rugby and feel very privileged to have played with and against some exceptional players,” Haskell added.

“There are so many people to thank, but in particular I would like to express my appreciation for all the coaches, trainers and physios who I have worked with throughout my career – from Maidenhead minis all the way up to England and the British & Irish Lions, I owe them all a huge debt of gratitude.

Haskell has suffered an injury-hit season since joining Northampton (Getty)

“I also want to thank all my team mates over the years for putting up with me and giving me an adventure that allowed me to laugh every single day.

“My thanks go out to the supporters here at Northampton Saints too who have welcomed me with open arms; I wish I’d been able to offer more on the field this season. This next chapter was supposed to go a very different way, however that is the nature of professional sport. I’ve never spent so much time injured in my entire career, but I’m doing everything I can to help the squad here until my contract ends.

“Finally, I would not have achieved what I have in this sport without the continued support of my amazing wife, my family, and my friends. To them all, I am incredibly grateful.”

Haskell made more than 200 appearances for Wasps before joining Northampton Saints (Reuters)

His international revival under Jones saw him become a key figure in England’s recent Six Nations success, and the Australian became one of Haskell’s biggest fans as he starred as man of the series in the 2017 series whitewash of the Wallabies.

“When I look back at my time coaching James, it will always bring a smile to my face,” Jones said. “It was a privilege to coach him, but also great fun. He’s what I’d describe as a ‘glue’ player – someone who always tries to bring a squad together.

“His tour to Australia in 2016 sticks in my mind. He was absolutely outstanding on that tour, amazingly physical, uncompromising and just totally dominant. Despite injuries preventing him from achieving his goals this season, he should be remembered for a great career and as someone who never gave less than 100 per cent for club and country.

Eddie Jones paid tribute to Haskell as 'one of the great characters of the sport' (Getty)

“Not only a superb player, but also one of the game’s great characters; rugby will be poorer without the ‘old fella’.”

Haskell is expected to remain in the public eye after already moving into media, having worked with Sky for their international rugby coverage this season and launching his own podcast, the House of Rugby, with www.joe.co.uk.