England v Samoa
'You can't train like Tarzan and play like Jane'
ESPN Staff
November 19, 2014
James Haskell has been recalled by England © Getty Images
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Recalled back row James Haskell has laid the gauntlet down to England, saying it's no use "training like Tarzan and playing like Jane".

Haskell will today be named to start in England's back row against Samoa as part of a number of changes to the team that lost to South Africa on Saturday and New Zealand a week earlier. Stuart Lancaster hopes the Wasps captain can provide the ball-carrying ballast, ferocity in the tackle and experience to lift England from their five-match losing streak.

"It's important for us to get results on the board. We don't feel like we're in crisis or there's tension, but ultimately what cements everything we're doing is results," Haskell said. "No-one will reflect back in a year's time and say 'Oh, that was a narrow victory'. They just want to see a 'W'. Nor will they say 'win or lose, they've got a really good culture'. Frankly it doesn't matter.

"My own view and the view of the boys is that finishing an honourable second is not acceptable, but let's get some context here - they have been against the world champions and the second-best team in the world. No-one wants to talk about a 'development journey', but we are a side that has come together pretty quickly. We've pushed some very good sides, but we are aware that we need to take that step and take those opportunities."

Haskell won the last of 51 England caps against against the All Blacks in Auckland in June, since when he's been appointed as Wasps captain. It's a responsibility that appears to have benefited him, after he showed some outstanding early season form.

"With the captaincy, you are expected to be there the whole time," he said. "The buck stops with you and you have to give a good account of yourself. That has been great for me. If you talk a good game you have to play a good game. You never want to be the guy who talks it up and then can't back it up, training like Tarzan and playing like Jane. No, you never want that."

Haskell has been recalled among a raft of changes - including the dropping of several established starters in Danny Care and Billy Vunipola - but Lancaster has said this is his strongest side for the game.

"Now this is a huge, huge opportunity," said Haskell. "Stuart has never led any of us to believe that this is a half-term change of personnel to test a few things out and that they're going to revert back to the team they had before. These are the guys he feels are going to do a job. Then it's open season for that game against Australia. I want to seize the opportunity as best I can. I'm not a good watcher of rugby and I won't leave anything in the tank. My mindset is to smile, revel in every moment and leave nothing in the tank."

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