Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Haskell 'blubbed' in front of team-mates when announcing retirement

Written by 
Published in Rugby
Tuesday, 07 May 2019 15:10

England flanker James Haskell says he "blubbed" in front of his Northampton team-mates when he told them he would be retiring at the end of the season.

The back row, 34, was capped 77 times by his country, winning three Six Nations titles, including a Grand Slam.

"I said goodbye to the lads the other day and I broke down, I blubbed in front of them. I couldn't get my words out. I didn't expect that," he said.

"I just couldn't speak and I cried. There are a lot of emotions with it."

Former Wasps player Haskell has struggled with ankle and toe problems this season, making only four appearances.

He already has business ventures in health and fitness programmes and DJ-ing, which he did alongside his playing career, but admits it will be difficult to adjust to life after rugby.

"Finding my feet again is going to be really hard. I'm lucky, my wife is amazing, she spotted it coming and I do have good days and bad days," Haskell added.

"I speak to a lot of players who have retired and they find it hard. A lot of players find it hard. A lot of sportsmen get depression, all sorts of mental health issues.

"A lot of people come up to me and say, 'you'll be alright, you've done this, it's impressive', but it's as terrifying as if I had never done anything."

'Jones got the best out of me'

Haskell toured with the British and Irish Lions to New Zealand in 2017 after being part of the England team who won the Grand Slam in 2016 and whitewashed Australia on tour that summer.

He said he believed his international career was over after the 2015 World Cup, but came back into the fold when Eddie Jones was appointed head coach.

"My best games for England were under Eddie Jones," he said.

"Eddie out of everyone treated me in a way that got the best out of me.

"He understood that I was a guy who needed an arm around me, needed my tyres pumped up, someone to believe in me and actively want to help me."

Read 2061 times

Soccer

Kane downplays PL return: 'Happy' at Bayern

Kane downplays PL return: 'Happy' at Bayern

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsHarry Kane has downplayed the prospect of a Premier League return i...

Arteta 'worried' as Arsenal's Gabriel limps off

Arteta 'worried' as Arsenal's Gabriel limps off

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMikel Arteta has admitted he's "worried" about Gabriel after the Ar...

Messi's bodyguard banned from MLS sidelines

Messi's bodyguard banned from MLS sidelines

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLionel Messi's bodyguard Yassine Cheuko has been banned from protec...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

NBA suspends 5 players for Pistons-Wolves scuffle

NBA suspends 5 players for Pistons-Wolves scuffle

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThree players from the Detroit Pistons and two from the Minnesota T...

NBA coaching carousel: What's next for the Grizzlies and Kings jobs?

NBA coaching carousel: What's next for the Grizzlies and Kings jobs?

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsWith two weeks to go in the NBA's regular season, there are two ope...

Baseball

Pirates' Harrington gets call, will debut vs. Rays

Pirates' Harrington gets call, will debut vs. Rays

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Pittsburgh Pirates called up right-handed prospect Thomas Harri...

Yanks bring back reliever Ottavino on 1-yr. deal

Yanks bring back reliever Ottavino on 1-yr. deal

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Right-handed reliever Adam Ottavino is returning to the...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated