James Haskell

{{Short description|England international rugby union player (born 1985)}}

{{infobox rugby biography

| name = James Haskell

| image = James Haskell 2011 cropped.jpg

| caption = Argentina vs England at 2011 Rugby World Cup

| birth_name = James Andrew Welbon Haskell

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|4|2|df=y}}

| birth_place = Windsor, Berkshire, England

| spouse = {{marriage|Chloe Madeley|2018|2023|end={{abbr|sep.|separated}}}}

| height = {{height|ft=6|in=4}}{{cite web |url=http://en.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/player/15478.html |title=James Haskell |publisher=ESPN |access-date=19 December 2020 |archive-date=19 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219182620/http://en.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/player/15478.html |url-status=dead }}

| weight = {{convert|118|kg|lb stlb|0|abbr=on}}{{cite web |url= https://www.lionsrugby.com/players/james-haskell/ |title= British & Irish Lions James Haskell |publisher= British & Irish Lions |access-date= 7 July 2017 |archive-date= 2 November 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171102111406/https://www.lionsrugby.com/players/james-haskell/ |url-status= dead }}

| school = Papplewick School, Ascot
Wellington College

| ru_currentteam =

| position = Flanker, Number eight

| repyears1 = 2007–2019

| repyears2 = 2007–2019

| repyears3 = 2017

| repteam1 = Saxons

| repteam2 = England

| repteam3 = British & Irish Lions

| repcaps1 = 22

| repcaps2 = 77

| reppoints1 = 15

| reppoints2 = 20

| ru_ntupdate = 17 March 2018

| repsevenscomp1 = Dubai

| repsevensyears1 = 2006

| repsevensteam1 = England

| years1 = 2002–2009

| years2 = 2009–2011

| years3 = 2011–2012

| years4 = 2012–2013

| years5 = 2013–2018

| years6 = 2018–2019

| clubs1 = London Wasps

| clubs2 = Stade Français

| clubs3 = Ricoh Black Rams

| clubs4 = Highlanders

| clubs5 = Wasps

| clubs6 = Northampton Saints

| points1 = 70

| points2 = 35

| points3 = 5

| points4 = 0

| points5 = 30

| points6 = 0

| apps1 = 92

| apps2 = 48

| apps3 = 11

| apps4 = 12

| apps5 = 118

| apps6 = 5

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = Wasps Academy

| ru_clubupdate = 29 March 2020

}}

James Andrew Welbon Haskell (born 2 April 1985) is an English former rugby union player who played chiefly as a flanker for Wasps RFC and Northampton Saints in the Aviva Premiership, and internationally for England.

In August 2019 he announced he would become a professional mixed martial artist and is currently signed to Bellator MMA, where he is to compete in their Heavyweight division. In November 2019, it was announced that Haskell would be participating in the nineteenth series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!.{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/g29763909/im-a-celebrity-2019-cast-gallery/|title=I'm a Celebrity cast confirmed as Caitlyn Jenner, Ian Wright and more join|last=Harp|first=Justin|date=11 November 2019|website=Digital Spy|language=en|access-date=11 November 2019}}

Early life

James Andrew Welbon Haskell was born on 2 April 1985 in Windsor, Berkshire.

He was educated at Papplewick School in Ascot, Berkshire[http://www.papplewick.org.uk/assets/newsletter-2012.pdf The Old Papplewickian], Issue No.12, 2012 and Wellington College in Crowthorne, also in Berkshire.

Club career

Haskell played for Maidenhead Rugby Club prior to joining (Wasps RFC), where he was part of the highly successful Colts set up. He was a replacement as Wasps won the 2007 Heineken Cup Final.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/6663245.stm|title=Heineken Cup final: Leicester 9–25 Wasps|publisher=BBC|date=19 May 2007|access-date=24 August 2015}}

The following season he started as Wasps won the 2007–08 Premiership Final.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7426519.stm |title=Guinness Premiership final |publisher=BBC|date=31 May 2008 |access-date=6 February 2020}} It was announced on 17 February 2009 that Haskell would join Top 14 side Stade Francais at the end of the 2008–09 season.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/london_wasps/7893734.stm|title=Trio quit Wasps to play in France|work=BBC News |date=17 February 2009|access-date=25 July 2009}}

Haskell played as a loose forward. He announced at the end of the 2010–11 season that he had been released from his contract at Stade Francais, and would instead be rejoining Wasps at the start of the 2012–13 season. During the season after the World Cup, he would play in Japan for the Rams, before seeking a Super Rugby contract for the rest of the season.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/14005873.stm | work=BBC News | title=Haskell to rejoin Wasps in 2012 | date=3 July 2011}}

In 2011, Haskell agreed to join the Highlanders in Super Rugby, saying he has always wanted to play in new environments and to "improve and become a better player for England".{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/news/8864640/James-Haskell-excited-by-Super-15-challenge-after-joining-Highlanders.html |title=James Haskell excited by Super 15 challenge after joining Highlanders |date=2 November 2011 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph}} While there, Haskell was competing for the Flanker position with future Scotland international, John Hardie.

In January 2018 it was announced he would leave Wasps at the end of the 2017–18 Aviva Premiership season.{{cite news |url=http://wasps.co.uk/news/article/2018/01/31/james-haskell-to-leave-wasps-at-the-end-of-the-season |title=James Haskell to leave Wasps at end of season |date=31 January 2018 |access-date=1 February 2018 |archive-date=2 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202012311/http://wasps.co.uk/news/article/2018/01/31/james-haskell-to-leave-wasps-at-the-end-of-the-season |url-status=dead }}

On 7 May 2019 Haskell announced his retirement from professional rugby via an Instagram post.{{cite web |title=James Haskell to retire after glittering career for England and Wasps |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/may/07/james-haskell-retire-after-glittering-rugby-union-career-england-wasps |work=The Guardian|date=7 May 2019 |access-date=7 May 2019}}

International career

=England=

Haskell represented England at under-17, 18 and under-19 levels as well as playing for England Sevens.{{cite web|url=http://www.rfu.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/RFUHome.Sevens_Detail/StoryID/15376 |title=England are the winners in the 'Dubai Ashes' |publisher=Rugby Football Union |date=2 December 2006 |access-date=25 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201110900/http://www.rfu.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/RFUHome.Sevens_Detail/StoryID/15376 |archive-date= 1 December 2008 }} He also played for Wales at under-18 level, qualifying thanks to his Welsh mother,{{cite news |first=Patrick |last=McCarry |title=James Haskell reveals he once went for trials with Wales |url=https://www.joe.co.uk/sport/james-haskell-wales-223320 |website=Joe.co.uk |date=14 March 2019 |access-date=19 March 2019 }} and is also qualified to play for Ireland.{{cite news |first=Katie |last=Sands |title=England star James Haskell's revelation about playing for Wales as he admits sadness over Jamie Roberts incident |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/england-star-james-haskells-revelation-15652525 |work=Wales Online |date=9 January 2019 |access-date=19 March 2019 }} In the 2007 Six Nations, Haskell was called into the starting line-up for the final game of the tournament for England against Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, where he was part of a back row that was for the first time provided by one club - Joe Worsley and Tom Rees were the other players from Wasps.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/6454287.stm|title=Wales 27–18 England|work=BBC News |date=17 March 2007|access-date=25 July 2009}} He just missed out on selection for the 2007 Rugby World Cup for England, despite spending the summer in their training camp.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/6943101.stm|title=Tindall & Hodgson miss World Cup |publisher=BBC|date=13 August 2007|access-date=2 September 2015}} He played a prominent role in the England team in the 2008 Six Nations.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7294610.stm|title=Six Nations 2008|work=BBC News |date=15 March 2008|access-date=25 July 2009|first=Phil|last=Gordos}} Haskell appeared in both tests of the 2008 summer tour of New Zealand.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/7449881.stm|title=New Zealand 37–20 England|work=BBC News |date=14 June 2008|access-date=25 July 2009|first=James|last=Standley}}

Haskell was selected by Martin Johnson for the 2008/2009 Elite Player Squad on 1 July 2008.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/7481130.stm|title=Tindall left out of England squad|work=BBC News |date=1 July 2008|access-date=25 July 2009}} He appeared in all three autumn internationals, starting against South Africa.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/7740602.stm|title=England 6–42 South Africa|work=BBC News |date=22 November 2008|access-date=25 July 2009|first=James|last=Standley}} Haskell participated in every game of the 2009 Six Nations, though he lost his starting berth to Tom Croft.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7954709.stm|title=2009 Six Nations|work=BBC News |date=21 March 2009|access-date=25 July 2009|first=James|last=Standley}}

Haskell's performances for Stade and injury to Tom Croft meant he returned to the England squad, and he scored two tries against Wales in the first match of the 2010 Six Nations. He started all subsequent games. During a rest week in the Six Nations, Stade requested his return to Paris to face Toulouse that weekend. The RFU held firm, however, and he remained in England.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/7347883/Six-Nations-2010-James-Haskell-to-stay-with-England-squad-after-club-v-country-row.html

| title = James Haskell to stay with England squad after 'club v country' row|work=BBC News |date=2 March 2010|access-date=11 June 2010 | location=London | first=Gavin | last=Mairs}}

Haskell was a member of Stuart Lancaster's 31-man squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, however, he was left on the bench in favour of Tom Wood as England crashed out in the group stages.

Haskell was named as the 'man of the series' during England's 3–0 series victory over Australia in June 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.wasps.co.uk/news/article/2016/06/30/man-of-the-series-james-haskell-on-the-3-0-series-win-over-australia|title=News|website=wasps.co.uk|access-date=13 February 2017|archive-date=14 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214003610/http://www.wasps.co.uk/news/article/2016/06/30/man-of-the-series-james-haskell-on-the-3-0-series-win-over-australia|url-status=dead}}

=British & Irish Lions=

On 21 May 2017, Haskell was called up to the British & Irish Lions due to an injury to Billy Vunipola.{{cite web|title=Billy Vunipola withdraws from Lions squad|url=http://www.lionsrugby.com/news/16233.php|publisher=British & Irish Lions|access-date=21 May 2017}}

MMA career

In August 2019, Haskell signed to mixed martial arts promotion Bellator MMA as part of its Heavyweight division. Haskell had previously done analysis and commentary work for English promotions such as BAMMA and CFF.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/mixed-martial-arts/49431626|title=James Haskell joins Bellator as heavyweight MMA fighter|date=22 August 2019|publisher=BBC}}

In February 2020, it was announced that Haskell would make his professional mixed martial arts debut on 16 May 2020 at Wembley's SSE Arena.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/mixed-martial-arts/51577276|title=James Haskell: Former England rugby union star to make MMA debut in May|date=2020-02-20|work=BBC Sport|access-date=2020-02-21|language=en-gb}} The event was ultimately postponed due to the Coronavirus outbreak.{{Cite web|last=stevejuon|date=2020-03-31|title=Bellator MMA Cancels All Near-Term Events Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic|url=https://www.mmamania.com/2020/3/31/21200642/bellator-mma-cancels-future-events-coronavirus-pandemic-covid-19-statement-bader-nemkov|access-date=2021-10-28|website=MMAmania.com|language=en}}

After having numerous injuries still stemming from his rugby career and eventually having spinal surgery in September 2021, Haskell decided to forgo his MMA career.{{Cite news|title=Haskell swaps MMA for stand-up comedy|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/59068709|access-date=2021-11-18}}

Personal life

Haskell was married to television presenter Chloe Madeley; the couple started dating in 2014.{{Cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/chloe-madeley-james-haskell-announce-12328549|title=Chloe Madeley and James Haskell are engaged after romantic Paris proposal|last=Needham|first=Lucy|date=2018-04-08|work=mirror|access-date=2018-10-12}} Haskell announced on Good Morning Britain in February 2022 that he and his wife Chloe were expecting a baby girl. Their daughter was born in August 2022.{{Cite web |title=Chloe Madeley shares first photo of baby daughter as she gushes they are 'besotted'; Chloe Madeley and husband James Haskell have become parents for the first time together, with their baby daughter born on Wednesday -leaving the happy couple 'beaming with pride' and 'utterly besotted' with their new arrival. - Free Online Library |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Chloe+Madeley+shares+first+photo+of+baby+daughter+as+she+gushes+they...-a0713944976 |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=www.thefreelibrary.com}} In October 2023 they announced they were separating.

Haskell was suspended from Wellington College for producing a non-consensual film showing his friend Paul Doran-Jones having sex with his then girlfriend in school accommodation using a hidden camera. They then showed classmates the film. Doran-Jones was expelled and Haskell suspended for the incident. Haskell later made light of the incident in a YouTube podcast in 2019 joking, "All I am going to say is this. My idea, Paul was execution" and "I was nothing to do with it apart from, obviously, it was my idea".{{Cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/james-haskell-sex-tape-shame-20955791|title=James Haskell sex tape shame - I'm A Celeb star secretly filmed teen in bed with mate|last=Buckland|first=Lucy|date=2019-11-25|work=mirror|access-date=2021-03-23}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/education/article/father-backs-sex-film-boy-z93wmfwldwr|title=Father backs sex film boy|last=Halpin|first=Tony|date=2003-05-29|work=times|access-date=2021-03-23}}{{Cite news|url=https://meaww.com/im-a-celebrity-star-james-haskell-secretly-filmed-best-friend-having-sex-teenage-girl-school|title='I'm A Celebrity' star James Haskell secretly filmed 17-year-old girl having sex with best friend Paul Doran-Jones|last=Pai|first=Akshay|date=2020-02-13|work=meaww|access-date=2021-03-23}}

In 2011, Haskell was accused of sexually harassing a hotel worker alongside fellow England players Dylan Hartley and Chris Ashton.{{cite web |title=England controversy: What really happened in room 510 with James Haskell, Dylan Hartley and Chris Ashton? |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/8917064/England-controversy-What-really-happened-in-room-510-with-James-Haskell-Dylan-Hartley-and-Chris-Ashton.html |website=The Telegraph |date=25 November 2011 |access-date=6 December 2021}}

James is also a DJ playing house music and producing his own music. He has built up a reputation having played around the world in places such as London, Dubai, Ibiza and Loughborough.{{cite web | url=https://www.jameshaskell.com/dj/ | title=DJ | access-date=8 April 2023 | archive-date=8 April 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408224610/https://www.jameshaskell.com/dj/ | url-status=dead }}{{Cite web|url=https://ra.co/events/951675|title=James Haskell at Fu Manchu, London|accessdate=24 January 2024}} He has a series for the renowned house label Defected Records called Backrow Beats.{{cite web | url=http://www.defectedmusic.com/artists/32 | title=DefectedMusic }}

In November 2019, it was announced that Haskell would be participating in the nineteenth series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!'. He ultimately became the fourth person to be voted off.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2019/1203/1096842-james-haskell-eliminated-from-im-a-celebrity/|title=James Haskell eliminated from I'm a Celebrity|website=RTÉ.ie|date=3 December 2019}}

Bibliography

{{cite book |first1=Alex |last1=Payne |first2=James |last2=Haskell |first3=Mike |last3=Tindall |date=2024 |title=The Good, the Bad & the Rugby – Unleashed |publisher=HarperCollins UK |isbn=9780008712709}}