Dallaglio (second right) and Haskell (far right) celebrate Wasps' Premiership triumph earlier this year alongside team mates Raphael Ibanez and Tom Palmer © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

News: Cipriani determined to bounce back

News: Dallaglio backs Johnson selection policy

News: RFU reports healthy profits

Players/Officials: Lawrence Dallaglio | James Haskell

Teams: England

Former captain Lawrence Dallaglio is not surprised James Haskell has been recalled to the England team for Saturday's clash with South Africa.

Haskell replaces Tom Croft at blindside flanker in manager Martin Johnson's only change to the team which lost to Australia on Saturday, and Dallaglio believes he will bolster England's defence. The 2003 World Cup winner played club rugby with Haskell, 23, at Wasps before retiring at the end of last season, and is pleased his former team-mate has been given another chance at international level.

"I'm not surprised because he adds a little bit defensively," said Dallaglio, who won 85 caps for England. "I think he's got that ball-carrying ability. Against a team like South Africa we're going to need some key ball-carriers who are going to take the attack to South Africa and James Haskell is a fiery player who can get England over the gain line. Playing South Africa is about physical confrontation.

"We've not necessarily always been there physically and we need to add a bit. There aren't many guys who can carry the game to South Africa and James can do that."

Haskell, whose game has often been compared to Dallaglio's, was a key part of England's Six Nations campaign earlier this year, but has not been at his best for Wasps this season and was a replacement for the Tests against the Pacific Islanders and Australia.

"I think he was always going to be in the mix somehow and he probably didn't get selected because his club form has been patchy at best," said Dallaglio. "But he's got an opportunity and it's a chance for him to show what he can do. He's proved on a few occasions before that he's a big-game player and he's got the ability not just to get beyond that first line of defence, but also to offload.

"I think it's a welcome opportunity for him. He's one of the up-and-coming stars of the England team and it's great he's got this chance."