England’s James Haskell relishing critical RWC showdown with Wales

Duncan Bech 08:40 22/09/2015
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  • Waiting for his chance: James Haskell.

    James Haskell will switch his identity in training from Fijian to that of a Welshman to help prepare England for Saturday’s critical World Cup showdown at Twickenham.

    Haskell was among the eight players omitted from the matchday 23 that toppled the Islanders with a bonus-point victory and spent the build-up to the opening night of the tournament trying to emulate the style of play awaiting the hosts.

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    The 30-year-old back row is resigned to being overlooked again for the visit of Wales – the side is named on Thursday – but will happily adapt to the role of one of Warren Gatland’s power runners to ready his team-mates for the clash.

    “So far in this camp I’ve been Ireland, France and Fiji. We haven’t got as far as coloured bibs yet, but we’re not far off,” Haskell said. “Every week there is a role to play – but I won’t be putting on my Sam Warburton mask!

    “Wales are a world-class side who are very physical and they will relish the opportunity to come to Twickenham.

    “There are players who can cause trouble, so the guys who are defending for us this week have to be direct and have to be physical. They have to match the power and physicality that the Welsh have.”

    A split emerged at the last World Cup between those in England’s squad who were playing and a minority on the fringes whose only hope of being involved hinged on when injury struck. Haskell has revealed that steps have been taken to ensure a similar scenario does not unfold at England 2015.

    “It’s difficult for me to comment about 2011 because I was playing a lot. Now for the first two games I’ve been with the shoe on the other foot,” he said.

    “I’ve made sure – and the coaches have too – that there is no separation between those boys.”

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