England star James Haskell today announced his retirement from professional rugby - and won plaudits from Eddie Jones.
After two years dogged by recurring ankle and toe problems, Northampton’s larger-than-life back row has reluctantly come to the conclusion that it is time to hang up his boots.
Haskell, 34, won 77 caps during a dozen years in the England squad between 2007-18, scoring four tries.
He played club rugby in England, France, Japan and New Zealand for Wasps, Saints, Stade Francais, the Black Rams and Highlanders.
“I have loved every minute of my career in rugby,” said the globe trotter. “And feel very privileged to have played with and against some exceptional players.”
England head coach Jones selected Haskell on 15 occasions and admitted: “When I look back at my time coaching James, it will always bring a smile to my face.
“It was a privilege to coach him, but also great fun. He’s what I’d describe as a ‘glue’ player - someone who always tries to bring a squad together.
“His tour to Australia in 2016 sticks in my mind. He was absolutely outstanding on that tour, amazingly physical, uncompromising and just totally dominant.
“Despite injuries preventing him from achieving his goals this season, he should be remembered for a great career and as someone who never gave less than 100 per cent for club and country.
“Not only a superb player, but also one of the game’s great characters; rugby will be poorer without the old fella.”
Haskell joined Northampton last summer with a view to playing his way into England’s World Cup squad. Injury thwarted that ambition.
“I wish I’d been able to offer more on the field this season,” he said. “This next chapter was supposed to go a very different way, however that is the nature of professional sport.
“I’ve never spent so much time injured in my entire career, but I’m doing everything I can to help the squad here until my contract ends.
“Retiring is obviously a really difficult decision for me to make; professional rugby has been the centre of my life for such a long time now and while it’s weird to imagine living without it, I look to the future with huge excitement.
“I look back at my career and have been very lucky to have done most things there are to do in rugby. Sadly, I will never know what it’s like to win a World Cup or represent the Barbarians.”
