James Haskell is focused on the task at hand © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: James Haskell

Tournaments/Tours: Six Nations | French Top 14

Teams: England | Stade Français

England flanker James Haskell has insisted that his sole focus this week is on their trip to Murrayfield to face Scotland on Saturday.

Haskell, who starts the game at blindside, was last week embroiled in a club v country debate as Stade Francais demanded that he be released from the England camp for their Top 14 showdown with Toulouse.

Stade president Max Guazzini labelled him a "hostage", although the player maintained that his contract with the club ensured his release for all England EPS sessions, including non-Test weeks.

Haskell has called the affair a "misunderstanding" and will hold talks with Stade at the end of the Six Nations in order to ensure that there is no repeat of the situation.

"The situation resolved for me as soon as this week started," he said. "I have a massive challenge against Scotland and as a professional you can't let anything interfere with that. There was always going to be some question because this is the first Six Nations I have been involved in since going over to France. It was difficult to know what to expect.

"I can't go into details of my contract but I feel that my situation is covered. I made sure everything in my contract is there for me to be released for England. Obviously there is some ambiguity over that and I have to go back to Stade and iron things out. But I would be letting everyone else down if I allowed it creep into my mindset and Martin Johnson wouldn't tolerate it.

"As soon as I knew I was staying in England I put it out of my mind. My focus has been on my rugby and making sure I am ready for the massive challenge of one of the best back-rows we are going to face."

Haskell maintained a dignified silence during the row but has since admitted that he was upset by insinuations that he had not made the necessary provisions to ensure his release.

"What I have found difficult to stomach is people questioning whether I have taken the time and detail to make sure this move was the right thing [for England]," he said. "When you make a massive move like this you have to make sure all your ducks are in a line. It was a very long process and my lawyer sat down for a long period of time to make sure the situation was OK.

"Stade have been so supportive of me, especially Max. They have been great about releasing me for various things. I have been very honest with Stade Francais, they have been honest with me and a lot of my form is down to them embracing me and allowing me to settle in and find a new life there. I am very comfortable there and I want that to continue when I get back."

IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset has also been keeping tabs on the developments. He has called for the rugby community to work together in difficult economic circumstances to minimise problems.

"It depends on the economy. The solution is not a sport solution, it is an economical solution and that is the problem really," he said. "We need to work together more and more because I know in England they have some trouble, I've seen the press and some information and the economic situation is very fragile. It is also in France but not as much.

"More and more we need a common solution together to manage this process and issues such as the number of clubs, number of players, how many foreign players are allowed in sides. We have different issues in front of us to discuss with the clubs and the unions. Because the economy comes first in the professional system."