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Stade claim England treating Haskell like a "hostage"

James Haskell scored two tries for England against Wales in the Six Nations © Getty Images

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Stade Francais president Max Guazzini remains hopeful that England flanker James Haskell will be released for this weekend's Top 14 clash with Toulouse and has accused the Rugby Football Union of treating the player like "a hostage".

The French giants are locked in a dispute with the RFU over Haskell's availability for the game, with the club demanding his return and his country insisting that there is no binding reason for the 24-year-old to do so. The RFU have so far maintained that they have an agreement with Stade over player release, but the club released a statement yesterday refuting that claim.

Guazzini has since vented his frustration at the deadlock but the big-spending owner is still hoping that the matter will be resolved in the club's favour. "We still hope that he will come back tomorrow," Guazzini told the Daily Mail. "Under IRB law nine, international players are available to national teams for certain periods in the year and this week is not one of those periods. There are players from Scotland and Italy back at clubs this week so why should England decide to treat James Haskell like a hostage?

"It's not true that we've signed an agreement with the RFU. We have never signed any agreement with them. We let James join England for a week before the November Tests and for a week before the Six Nations. We have shown respect to England but the RFU have not shown us any. We have a big problem here. The RFU don't pay the French clubs - we pay the player and we need James Haskell because this is a very important match for us.

"They are acting outside the rules. There's no problem with other countries - the French players are all here, the Italians, the Scottish. It's only a problem with England. I cannot understand why they are taking this position."

The newspaper reports that Haskell ready and willing to play for Stade on Saturday and that the club have already sent him a written warning about missing training.

The RFU have maintained their position on the argument, insisting that they are within their rights to keep Haskell at their training camp. "Our position is as it has been for the past two days," a spokesperson said yesterday. "James will be staying with England as his contract with Stade Francais allows him to be available during EPS (Elite Player Squad) periods. We have nothing further to add to that."

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