Stade
Francais flanker James Haskell has admitted that
Saturday's defeat by Ireland could be his last game for
England in the RBS Six Nations.
The
versatile back-rower has had an outstanding tournament for
Martin Johnson's team, but his future involvement with
England beyond the World Cup remains in doubt.
Haskell
is currently in contract negotiations with Stade Francais
about activating his option for another year with the
Parisians, while other leading French clubs - including
Stade Toulousain and Clermont Auvergne - are ready to pounce
should he choose to move elsewhere.
The
former Wasps star is widely admired in France and has made
no secret of his desire to remain in Top 14 despite the
RFU's decision only to pick players based outside England
(after the World Cup later this season) in "exceptional
circumstances".
Toulon
and England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson has signed a new deal
with his French club but is expected to announce his
international retirement after the World Cup. Haskell's club
and international colleague Tom Palmer still has another
year on his deal with Stade Francais and also remains
uncertain about his future.
Haskell
was clearly emotional after England's crushing 24-8 defeat
in Dublin, perhaps indicating he believes that may have been
his last Six Nations match.
"Whatever happens with the World Cup or where I sign as a
club - whether I stay in France or come back to England -
this could be my last Six Nations," he admitted. "You have
to play as if it's your last game and I tried to do that. We
will have to wait and see. People in higher positions will
make decisions [about the future]. This will be a bitter
memory for a long while. You are only as good as your last
game and this wasn't great," he added.
Haskell
said he had given everything he had, but it just wasn't good
enough on the day. "I left nothing out on that field. I come
away pleased with that but frustrated I have lost to Ireland
again and we have lost a Grand Slam," he said.
"I have never been in a position to win the
Grand Slam. To lose the way we did was very difficult. It is
disappointing and takes the edge of eight weeks of hard
work. We were our own worst enemies. It was a physical game
but if you shoot yourself in the foot every play it makes it
10 times worse," said Haskell.
But he
believes, like coach Johnson, that England will emerge
stronger for the experience.
"Momentum was with us, the country was behind us, the fans
were behind us and it was the start of something very
special. That has taken a knock back but it is not the end
of the world," he said. "It will do my head in for however
long but this team will be richer for it. We have a special
group of players with a great group of management. You get
tournament teams and finals teams. When I was at Wasps we
did very well in turning up and winning those finals. This
is one of those learning curves.
"No
major changes are needed. We were our own worst enemies. If
we can correct that we can carry on this momentum. I don't
think there is any need to panic. It is just very upsetting
we have blown a Grand Slam," he added.
