Haskell "happy to be proved wrong" by England as he urges RFU to change rule
James Haskell doesn't think England can currently challenge the likes of France and Ireland at the Rugby World Cup but is "happy to be proved wrong".
England, who reached the final of the tournament four years ago, head to France with mild expectations after another poor Six Nations that saw them win just two of their five games for the second straight year. England find themselves in a favourable group, which they are still expected to top, and a generous half of the draw - dodging many of the tournament favourites.
Over the past 12 months England have been well beaten by Grand Slam champions Ireland, host nation France and Southern Hemisphere giants and reigning world champions South Africa. England have declined since their final appearance in Japan, resulting in a change of coach.
Steve Borthwick came in to replace the axed Eddie Jones but experienced a baptism of fire in his first Six Nations, presiding over England's worst ever defeat at Twickenham as France ran riot in March. The former England captain turned coach is very much still putting his stamp on things but Haskell is hopeful that lengthy preparation time can aid their chances.
The 38-year-old, represented by Under Armour, who is backing the Sports Slam Campaign led by Sports Direct, told Mirror Sport: "In terms of England, Steve having more time, England are always better going into a World Cup. Borthers having a good lead into the World Cup, earlier access, means they will be flying come September and October.
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"I think they'll do way better than you think. Are they ready to compete for the trophy - I'd never say never, but I think the gulf to Ireland and France is probably too much, but I'm happy to be proved wrong."
Borthwick named a 28-man preparation squad that met up at England's Pennyhill Park base this week. It omitted players who featured in the Premiership semi-finals, meaning major names from Saracens, Sale, Northampton and Leicester were absent, but it opened the door for those on the periphery to stake their claim.
England endured another poor Six NationsOn 7 August Borthwick will announce his 33-man squad for the World Cup, which can include the likes of back-rower Jack Willis, who currently plies his trade at French side Toulouse. He was one of several players left in the lurch after the collapses of Wasps and Worcester.
London Irish have since joined them after they were served a winding-up petition and suspended from the Premiership by the RFU. It leaves some big names without a club and, the financial restriction placed on English clubs means France is a viable and lucrative option for many.
Willis was among those to take it up whilst rising star Henry Arundell is, according to the Telegraph, on the radar of Racing 92. Exeter stars Jack Nowell, Harry Williams and Sam Simmonds have also chosen to leave England and head across the channel to the Top 14.
Henry Arundell is of interest to clubs in France, which could affect his eligibility (Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)Current rules, introduced in 2011, state that those who head overseas to play their rugby can no longer be selected for England. Exceptional circumstances were granted for the likes of Willis, who had limited options after Wasps' mid-season collapse and was picked for the Six Nations. But his own eligibility is now under the microscope after he extended his stay with Toulouse, signing until 2026, placing more pressure on the RFU to review their rules.
Haskell was among the first major names to take on the French challenge, joining Stade Francais in 2009. Jonny Wilkinson joined him when he moved to Toulon in 2009 before retiring in 2014. Haskell later returned home, but he's a major advocate of the RFU changing the rule - insisting there would be no mass exodus.
He said: "I think you should 100 per cent do it (change the overseas law). I don't see why you wouldn't do it, I don't think it makes a difference. I think players should have the opportunity to go and play abroad, if that's where the market it is. What are the downsides? All your talent is going to go across.. it just doesn't work like that.
Jack Willis moved to Toulouse and, barring a rule change, could become unavailable for England selection"They're not going to steal every player. It makes it more competitive, you get more life experience, gives more opportunities to shine and it is an incentive to improve the game in England. I just think that is the market, I managed to do it but not every player would do it, it is not made for every player.
"When I was at Stade, (Johnny) Sexton and (Dan) Lydiate went to Racing 92 - they all come back. You've got to be a certain type of player and those regional guys, the Welsh, the Irish, they're not all cut out for playing abroad.
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"Some love it, but others come from close communities, they're looked after well at the likes of Leinster, they're round their families. Some can stomach it and boss it out, but not everyone will do it."
James Haskell is currently promoting a scheme that gets kids playing more sport on a daily basis (Pitch)Haskell was speaking after joining up with Sports Direct to aid their campaign which seeks to get kids between the ages of 7-11 more active on a daily basis through sport. The former England rugby star said: "Kids need to play sport. We love sport, we need sport.
"I think rugby isn't being played in schools a lot because of the fear of it, but also because it's perceived as a public school sport. I think you learn a lot from contact sports - discipline, fitness, health, where you stand, you can't be a primadona, you're made accountable.
"People will always perform better if they've had some form of exercise. They'll concentrate better, they'll sleep better. We need some competition in our lives, this campaign has been supported by Sports Direct, they're all getting behind it."
Teachers and schools across the UK can take part in Sports Slam through free sign up on the .
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