Wednesday 11 September 2019 15:29, UK
Former England international rugby player James Haskell chats about making it in professional sport and the chances of Eddie Jones' squad at the forthcoming Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Haskell, who earned 77 England caps - leaving him as the third most capped England back-row of all time, behind Lawrence Dallaglio (85) and Joe Worsley (78) - won almost everything in the sport, claiming a Premiership win, Heineken Cup, Six Nations Grand Slam and British & Irish Lions tour representation.
Speaking as part of the latest Jacamo campaign, Haskell revealed the feeling and responsibility each player feels when performing for their nation on the biggest stage.
"When I first started playing rugby, I had no kind of idea about where I was going to get to," Haskell said. "I never had any inkling that I would get an opportunity to play for England or the Lions.
"For any player who has ever reached the top of their game, you have to constantly want to improve and constantly want to get better.
"In an England shirt, you need to leave it in a better place than when you found it. You're going out to represent your country and you're in the top one per cent of people who get to do that.
"With the atmosphere, the intensity, the singing of the national anthem and being surrounded by your team-mates, it just creates an emotional cocktail which is like a drug and which is unbeatable."
The 34-year-old, who featured in his career for Wasps over two spells, Stade Francais in France, the Ricoh Black Rams in Japan, Highlanders in New Zealand and Northampton Saints before being forced to retire at the end of last season due to niggling injuries, also gave his thoughts on the current England side.
Since winning the World Cup in 2003, England have fallen at the final stage in 2007, the quarter-final stage in 2011 and the pool stages in 2015.
Haskell believes though, that Eddie Jones' group have the best chance of winning the trophy since those days of Martin Johnson, Jonny Wilkinson and Sir Clive Woodward.
"I think the current England team is really exciting, we're in the best possible shape to go on and win the World Cup," Haskell added.
"It's the best chance we've had in the last 10 years.
"I had a dream and ambition to go to the World Cup and finish my career there - I fell short and it's sad, but I got over it in terms of disappointment and I've just become like everyone else: a fan of my country.
"I'm excited to see us do well."
