Haskell declares himself ready for England comeback

Haskell, 31, has played less than one hour of rugby this year following toe surgery in January, but could be set for a place on England’s bench when head coach Eddie Jones names his team to face France today.

Haskell’s inclusion in the squad is something of a gamble given that the toe injury, which gave way during England’s second Test in Australia last June, sidelined him for more than six months.

But the defiant Wasps flanker believes he is mentally and physically set to defend England’s Six Nations title.

“I’m confident I am fine and so are the coaches here,” Haskell said. “If I get the opportunity to take to the field or start the game then I will do my best.

“I have had six months of training, fitness and rehabilitation, and the way we train here is super intense. Yesterday’s session was like an 80-minute game.

“I feel pretty prepared to do myself justice and to do the team justice. I would not play if I didn’t think I could. I would put my hand up and say that I am just not ready because there are plenty of boys who are chomping at the bit and it is more important to put the team first.”

Haskell is rated highly by Jones and was an integral fixture during England’s Grand Slam success and subsequent tour of Australia in which they went unbeaten.

But his spell on the sidelines has enabled Northampton’s Tom Wood to rise to prominence and Haskell faces a tough test to regain his status as England’s No 1 openside flanker.

“The first time I was left out of the England squad when I went to Japan and I was watching on TV I thought the world was going to end,” Haskell added. “With this England squad, we’ve got so many good back-rows.”

But George Kruis’s involvement in the Six Nations is in doubt with the England lock due to see a specialist today after suffering a knee ligament injury.

Second row Kruis was only given the all-clear to face France last week after recovering from a fractured cheekbone, but was forced to miss training on Tuesday after sustaining the injury.

Jones said: “We’ll have to wait and see what the specialist’s prognosis is, but we’re not ruling him out of the RBS 6 Nations at this stage.”