James Haskell: England man reveals he wants to become a DJ… and use digging skills in a JCB once rugby playing days are over
England should be back from toe injury in December
JAMES HASKELL has spent much of his career digging balls out from the bottom of rucks.
Now the England star is looking at taking his mining skills to a whole new level - by buying a JCB!
Injury has forced Haskell to miss out on the Autumn Internationals as the likes of Tom Wood and Nathan Hughes stake their claim for the jersey he filled heroically in England's 3-0 'Whitewash' of Australia.
With the Wasps man set to return to action in December, he admits there has been frustration in watching someone else take his shirt.
In an , 31-year-old Haskell said: “You learn pretty quickly that if you aren’t playing you are easily forgotten. It’s very nice, very flattering to be kept in the loop, but you see someone else pull on the shirt and it’s like everything you’ve done is gone, finished.
“Thing is, you can’t feel grumpy about it. For me, watching England beat South Africa was motivation to get fit. I was back doing my rehab first thing on Sunday morning. I’m getting closer."
Haskell was accused of being brash as a youngster with his big personality.
But he insists his reputation is unfair - and revealed what he would like to get into once he hangs up his boys.
Haskell added: "Yes, I am a bit loud. I do stuff. But a prick? Based on what? A rugby pundit early on said about me, ‘I’ve never met James Haskell but from what I can see he’s a money-orientated a***hole.’
"When he met me he was absolutely fine. So I understand I polarise people a bit.
“But if I was such a dick, such a nightmare, I am not sure I would have played around the world with [Michael] Cheika, Jamie Joseph, Dai Young, Eddie Jones. Not one of them strikes you as a person who would tolerate that.”
“I have created a persona on social media because it amuses me.
“I am a bit of a workaholic, bit of a loner, don’t go out a lot. Vices? I love technology. I love diggers. My dream is to have a digger. JCB are going to lend me a tractor to drive to training for a week.
“If I die now, I have pretty much had a go at everything. Corporate speaking, DJing, website, fitness books.”