English Rugby
Haskell 'f*****g massively interested' in England
ESPN Staff
October 22, 2013
James Haskell was back in action for Wasps on Thursday © Getty Images
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Wasps flanker James Haskell is adamant he is passionate as ever about playing for England despite his array of interests outside of rugby.

Haskell returned to first team action on Thursday after six months out of the game and during his time away from the sport, he worked on various business interests including his own coffee and fitness companies.

England coach Stuart Lancaster questioned the flanker's commitment to rugby when they spoke in the summer, but Haskell, who was not included in the elite player squad for the autumn Tests, is keen to add to his 50 caps for England.

"It has been an interesting period for me," Haskell told the Times. "I am 28, I have got my 50 caps and I want to keep playing. I am still massively keen to play for England. Stuart asked me what my thoughts were on it. He wanted to make sure all the guys were on board. One thing he has done is instil that value in the shirt.

"With the 2015 World Cup coming up, there will only be places for guys who want to be there. I have been around quite a long time and sometimes people can feel the passion dies a little bit or they have other interests.

"People on the outside think, 'Oh James has got other interests, he is doing this and doing that, is he still interested?' A lot of people overlook me [in the England context]. The answer is I am f***ing massively interested because I wouldn't work as hard as I have to get back in the mix."

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