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James Haskell signs new contract with Wasps


By wasps.co.uk
January 4 2016

Wasps are delighted to confirm that co-captain James Haskell has signed a new contract with the club.

Haskell has made 160 appearances since becoming the youngest player to represent Wasps on the professional stage. He made his debut in 2002 as an 18-year-old after graduating from the Wasps Academy.
 
The international back row is now one of England’s most experienced players, having won 62 caps for his country and competed in two Rugby World Cups.
 
During his first seven years at Wasps (2002 - 2009), Haskell was part of the sides that won Premiership and Heineken Cup titles. He then headed overseas to experience new challenges. He enjoyed two seasons at French powerhouse Stade Francais and had a spell in Japan after the 2011 RWC with the Ricoh Black Rams, before moving to Super Rugby and the Otago Highlanders.
 
Haskell returned to Wasps in 2012, quickly becoming an integral part of the team again, being voted Players’ Player of 2013/14 and winning back his place in the England squad.
 
He was made club captain in 2014, succeeding Chris Bell, and led Wasps to a European quarter final against reigning champions Toulon last season.
 
James Haskell said: “I am delighted and over the moon to be extending my contract with Wasps. It is the only Premiership club I have ever known and feels like home, even after my stint around the world. I supported Wasps as an avid fan from the age of 13, so to be able to extend my stay, and lead the boys out as captain, is a dream come true.
 
“Obviously it wasn't a decision I took lightly as being 30 it was really important I chose a team that I felt were going to compete and ultimately win silverware. I am motivated personally by always trying to improve and have a burning desire to win more silverware.
 
“With Dai Young in charge and our owner Derek Richardson at the helm, I felt Wasps were a team that would do that. We have a developing and exciting squad that I feel will continue in an upwards trajectory and only get better. It’s an honour to be part of that process.
 
“It was also important that I stayed in the UK to continue my quest to play for England again. Pulling on that white shirt is why I get up every day and I feel I still have more to give at that level.
 
“As a club, we are starting a new chapter in Coventry with old and new fans, who have been out of this world in their support for the team. To front the move and start a new chapter is very exciting.”
 
Wasps’ Director of Rugby Dai Young added: “James has been an outstanding captain for us, as well as one of our key performers over the past few seasons. His decision to extend his contract shows his belief in this squad and the direction the club is moving in.
 
“As one of our senior players, James will play an integral part in the squad’s development, helping to drive standards and performance. He is excited by the leadership role and I am sure he will continue to excel at it. He was also a key influence in helping the club make a smooth transition to Coventry and we are thrilled he will continue to play a big part in Wasps’ future.
 
“‘Hask is a larger-than-life character, but he is also a true professional in his approach to the game and is always one of the last to leave training after doing extras. That drive to keep on improving is the reason he has produced some of his best rugby of his career over the past couple of seasons.
 
“James is hungry to continue playing for England and I think he’s a genuine option to go right through to the next World Cup.”

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James Haskell signs new contract with Wasps
Discussion started by DrunkenWasps.com , 04/01/2016 14:08
DrunkenWasps.com
04/01/2016 14:08
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Chilham
04/01/2016 14:31
Good, good. Love him or liathe him, James is Wasps.

Jo Knowzz
04/01/2016 14:32
So Haskell signing is great news. There is some more (mixed) player news that will likely emerge soon.

Very good – Taylor signing from Sale

Very very bad – Lozowski off to Saracens

Old Geezer
04/01/2016 14:37
Taylor is too small. We should have done better. Titteral was a great hooker but suffered from being too small IMHO.

Raggs
04/01/2016 14:40
I'm happy to admit that I've not seen these guys in the flesh, but Festy is down as being a fair bit smaller than Tommy (both height and weight).

Chilham
04/01/2016 14:48
Quote:
Old Geezer
Taylor is too small. We should have done better. Titteral was a great hooker but suffered from being too small IMHO.

Meh! So's Wadey.

Raggs
04/01/2016 14:50
Checking the wikis. Andy was 5'8", Tommy is down at 6'2"...

Even if they've inflated Taylor a bit, he's still very big (tall in fact for a hooker in many cases).

Stevothewasp
04/01/2016 15:02
Quote:
Old Geezer
Taylor is too small. We should have done better. Titteral was a great hooker but suffered from being too small IMHO.
Small compared to ash maybe - but looked OK against us - and we have the best conditioner in the league to beef / strengthen him up a few kgs - if he signs it will be his potential we are signing not just his current state?

westwaleswasp
04/01/2016 16:04
Loz to Sarries is not bad for us if Dai is not playing him anyway. Maybe they are looking for a flair fly half who cam come on and change a game..he seems that sort of player from what little we have seen. He would not seem to be a natural fit with what we had two weeks ago. He will get more game time if Farrell gets picked for the 6n, although by next year Farrell may be behind Cips/Ford etc, though maybe not if Ford's downward trajectory continues....

Hangover
04/01/2016 16:12
TT - 6,2 and 16.5 stone sounds big enough to me !

Swanseawasp
04/01/2016 16:23
Great news about James Haskell

Rory87
04/01/2016 17:15
Pleased this has be finalised.... always worrying when your club captain signs elsewhere.

As Chilham says above, James is Wasps through and through.

He's a massive personality to have around the place (as Dai highlights).

FishingWasp
04/01/2016 17:27
Quote:
westwaleswasp
Loz to Sarries is not bad for us if Dai is not playing him anyway. Maybe they are looking for a flair fly half who cam come on and change a game..he seems that sort of player from what little we have seen. He would not seem to be a natural fit with what we had two weeks ago. He will get more game time if Farrell gets picked for the 6n, although by next year Farrell may be behind Cips/Ford etc, though maybe not if Ford's downward trajectory continues....
Loz to Quins or Chiefs I could believe - could suit a flair player-if he sees no prospect of game time at Wasps.
But Sarries? they would surely stifle his game (from what we have seen of him). Cant believe he's not astute enough to foresee nothing but frustration at Allianz Park.
Hope his rumoured departure is just that as he could have a great future at Wasps, if he ghets game time, IMHO.

Westy68
04/01/2016 17:50
I would be disappointed if he left and then became a great player.

Maybe Dai doesn't think he will be a good player, only time will tell

jonnydeane
04/01/2016 18:00
What else does Jo Know?

Eagle25
04/01/2016 19:23
Jo Knowzz is correct. Loz has signed for Sarries and will join as Hodgson's replacement

Heathen
04/01/2016 20:03
Hask has been an excellent servant to Wasps since his return from Wasps. However, his form at times this season, has not been that inspiring.

As others have said, his sole focus going forward seems to be to take the ball into contact. Last season at times he was immense. The Quins away game in the HC being probably one of his finest in B&G.

I'd love to see him get back to that form.

Bandy
04/01/2016 20:19
Jo Knowzz has been correct in the past, seems to have an inside contact. Sounds ominous.

Fantastic to keep the Archbishop of Banterbury on though. OAWAAW

westwaleswasp
04/01/2016 22:32
He would have been a great fit for Quins.

Staines Wasp
05/01/2016 09:35
Great news in Hask re-signing as it sends a clear message to the squad and others thinking of joining the club that financially we now compete and a guy like him doesn't have to chase that one last big signing and fee. Also sends the message that we are a club worth talking to for any player who might be approached to join us.

As long as Hask can now start to remember how not to drop the ball in contact and pass (and not as a last resort) rather than run aimlessly up blind alleys things could really start to happen!

Shame about Loz but I can quite understand as a young and ambitious guy who is unlikely to get much game time unless Gopperth or Jackson get injured. Having said that, unless I have missed something isn't he going to be in the same situation behind their two first choice 10's?

Also says the sooner we get the Academy up and running at full strength and in the Midlands the better and no offence to the current set-up. Some of our best players over the years have been home-grown!

As for Chilham saying size doesn't matter... surprising seeing how much haggis and other stuff I saw him consume over New Year!

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