James Haskell© Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

James Haskell has compared working with Eddie Jones is like waiting for a nuclear bomb to go off.

Wasps flanker Haskell, who established himself as an England starter throughout the Six Nations, revealed that despite Jones' unpredictable temperament, he feels far more at home in the national setup now.

"I respect and fear him in equal measure because you just don't know," Haskell said of England's coach in an interview with The Guardian.

"He's got the liability to absolutely go mad. You hear all the stories but he's then got the ability to be sensible and understanding and build your confidence and set a fantastic tone.

"We didn't see it that often but I do joke with him. I said to him that it's like a nuclear bomb and you're waiting for it to go off.

"There was one occasion where we did a walk-through and there were mistakes and I thought: 'This is where he's going to go...'

"He was brilliant actually but it's only a matter of time [before Jones erupts] because even with the best teams, like the All Blacks, things go wrong.

"You've just got to understand he's interested in winning and getting the best team."

Haskell endured a dismal start to the season where he featured in England's disastrous World Cup campaign, but he's now preparing to captain Wasps against Saracens in the semifinal of European Champions Cup this Saturday.

And it's not just on the club stage where he's enjoyed more responsibility in a leadership role, as he revealed he feels far more respected now in an England shirt.

"I went into an environment where I really felt respected for the first time," Haskell added. "People talked to me like an adult, they wanted my opinion and that gave me the confidence to play.

"I felt empowered. I didn't feel I was walking a tightrope where, after one mistake, I'd be slung straight out.

"Having a coach now who is people-focused and task-focused is key. Eddie can gauge and interact with players. You need that rapport."