Key Facts
| Squad | London Wasps |
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| Position | Flanker |
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| Age | 28 |
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| Height | 1.94m (6'4") |
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| Weight | 114kg (17st 13lb) |
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| Caps | 50 |
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Outstanding performances for England U21 foreshadowed James Haskell’s route into the England Elite Squad and the 50 caps he has won so far include 23 consecutively before he was an unused bench replacement against Australia at Sydney in June 2010. He completed a half century of Test appearances in the final game of the 2013 RBS 6 Nations Championship against Wales in Cardiff.
He had become the man of the match when England beat Scotland 22-16 at Twickenham in March 2011, was his country’s top tackler with 57 in that Championship and scored his fourth Test try against Wales at Twickenham the following August.
Windsor-born James, originally a London Wasps player, spent two seasons with Stade Français before being released by the French Top 14 club in June 2011.
He played for Ricoh Black Rams in Japan after the 2011 RWC and then secured a Super Rugby contract with Otago Highlanders. An appearance in the third Test against South Africa at Port Elizabeth last June prefaced his return to Wasps on a three-year contract starting this season.
James was educated at Wellington College and had excelled during England’s 2008 summer tour of New Zealand, having made his debut in the 27-18 defeat by Wales the previous year and was in the Saxons' team that subsequently beat New Zealand Maori in the Churchill Cup final.
He made ten appearances for England U21 in 2005, including five in the IRB World Championship in Mendoza and became the first player to appear in every match for that age group team in two successive years.
Was a try-scorer when the side completed the 2006 Grand Slam with a 40-5 win over Ireland, having previously represented England U18, U19 and England Sevens. He first figured for Wasps at the age of 18 when he singled out Lawrence Dallaglio as his sporting hero for his inspiring leadership qualities.
His swift development included being runner up to fellow London Wasps back row Tom Rees in the Guinness Premiership Young Player of the Season awards in 2006-07.
That accolade came at the close of a campaign during which James gained a Heineken Cup winners’ medal in only his second professional season. He had played as a 50th minute replacement for Dallaglio in the 25-9 Twickenham triumph over Leicester Tigers.
Other distinctions that season included appearances for England Sevens in Dubai and George and his England Saxons’ debut against Italy A at Exeter six years ago.
The following week, he scored a try in the 30-5 victory over Ireland A at Ravenhill, Belfast and his route was signposted to full honours and to his two tries against Wales at Twickenham in February 2010. By the end of last season, he had made 68 Premiership appearances and scored seven tries.
International Record
20 points - 4T
2007 W, F 2008 W, It, F, I(R), NZ(1,2), PI(R), A(R), SA, NZ 2009 It, W, I, F(R), S(R), Arg(1,2R), A(R), Arg, NZ 2010 W, It, I, S, F(R), A(1R), Sam 2011 W, It, F, S, I, W. W(R), I World Cup - Arg, G, R, S, F(R) 2012 SA (3), SA(R), NZ(R) 2013 S(R), I, F(R), It, W(R)
Last updated: June 11, 2013
