James Haskell announces retirement from professional rugby

The former England flanker has called time on his 17-year career

James Haskell has announced his retirement from professional rugby at the age of 34, after a 17-year career which saw him amass 77 caps for England and play in two World Cups. The flanker confirmed the news on the latest episode of House of Rugby with Guinness, revealing that this season would be his last after a series of ankle and toe injuries during his time with Northampton Saints. Haskell spent two long spells at Wasps during his career, beginning his career there between 2002 and 2009, before moving to Stade Francais in France, Ricoh Black Rams in Japan, Super Rugby side Highlanders and eventually returning to Wasps. He moved to Northampton Saints during the summer of 2018, but has only made four appearances. "I'm retiring at the end of the season. I think my last game of rugby has come upon me. Maybe if I can get a Barbarians game because I've never ever done that, it might be quite nice," said an emotional Haskell during a special episode of House of Rugby. "But, yeah, I can't do it anymore. Y'know, I'm not going to... I just can't. I just can't play to the level I've wanted to play at. I can't train as much as I've wanted to and I can't perform as much as I've wanted to. "I've always said that when the door to England was closed and when I couldn't perform anymore I would hang up my boots, and try and do something else with my life." https://twitter.com/JOE_co_uk/status/1125672665233219585 Listen to the full episode of House of Rugby here.