JAMES Haskell has been rewarded for superb club form by forcing his way back into Stuart Lancaster’s England squad for their Test against Samoa tomorrow.
Haskell, who earned his 51st cap in the summer after a year in the international wilderness, said: “It’s the place where you want to be, to have the chance to pull that white shirt on. I never gave up hope of playing again.”
Wasps director of rugby Dai Young said: “James Haskell has been outstanding and thoroughly deserves it.
“I’m surprised he hasn’t had an opportunity earlier but I hope he goes out there and plays out of his skin and get the nod for the next game.
“I think he deserves it, and he’s had to wait longer than anybody else.”
Matt Mullan is also in the squad.
However, for those still on the outside, Young thinks time is fast running out.
There will be a few exceptions, but it’s pretty likely if you’re not part of the England squad now you won’t be come next year’s World Cup.
Time for sweeping changes has long passed now, and that could mean Wasps hopefuls like Elliot Daly and Joe Simpson both missing out.
Simpson won his only England cap off the bench at the last World Cup, while Daly has been on the fringes without quite breaking through yet.
Young said: “Elliot Daly and Joe Simpson were excellent last weekend and can’t do any more.
“There are a lot of good centres about but Elliot has certainly improved.
“His decision making is better but the biggest improvement has been his physicality in defence.
“He’s making bigger tackles and winning those confrontations.
“That was an area of his game that he felt he needed to improve on. He’s starting to look like the full package and I know Stuart is fully aware of his ability.”
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