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Haskell joined Northampton from Wasps last summer in an effort to remain in Eddie Jones’s England squad and make the 31-man squad that will travel to Japan in September, but has suffered an injury-ravaged campaign that has resulted in the 34-year-old missing more games than he has played.
The British and Irish Lions tourist has revealed that the decision to hang up the boots this month comes with regrets, having not experienced the feeling of winning the World Cup or having the honour of pulling on the famous Barbarians jersey.
“Retiring is obviously a really difficult decision for me to make; professional rugby has been the centre of my life for such a long time now and while it’s weird to imagine living without it, I look to the future with huge excitement,” Haskell said.
“I look back at my career and have been very lucky to have done most things there are to do in rugby. Sadly, I will never know what it’s like to win a World Cup or represent the Barbarians.”
1/24 Six Nations Team of the Tournament
Click through the gallery to see who makes Jack de Menezes' Team of the Six Nations.
Getty
2/24 15. Liam Williams (Wales)
Has claims for the player of the tournament award after a brilliant two months. Shone in the absence of Leigh Halfpenny and handled the England kicking game with ease in Cardiff. Should have scored against France but offered so much more than tries to Wales’ Grand Slam cause and is among the very best aerial footballers.
AFP/Getty Images
3/24 14. Josh Adams (Wales)
Early in his international career but has given Warren Gatland a serious selection headache if and when Halfpenny returns, as Adams deserves to be in the starting XV on this form. Tries in three consecutive matches against Italy, England and Scotland, including a moment against the Red Rose that will live long in the memory.
PA
4/24 13. Henry Slade (England)
A breakthrough tournament for the versatile centre who finally looks to have found his place in the No 13 shirt. Glides across the field with the ball in hand and his two tries against Ireland helped England banish their Dublin hoodoo. One of the most naturally gifted players of his generation.
Getty Images
5/24 12. Hadleigh Parkes (Wales)
Has slotted in seamlessly into the Welsh midfield and saved his biggest impact for the Grand Slam-clinching finale – not just by scoring the first try immediately but also for his try-saving recovery tackle on Ireland’s Jacob Stockdale. Manu Tuilagi certainly impressed with five consecutive appearances and a demolition job on France and Italy, but he could not match Parkes’ defensive reliability.
Action Images via Reuters
6/24 11. Jonny May (England)
The tournament’s top scorer brings fans to their feet whenever he receives the ball in space. Only failed to score a try in one of his five matches and bagged rapid 29-minute hat-trick against France. His relationship with Elliot Daly has been a joy to watch.
AP
7/24 10. Finn Russell (Scotland)
Alongside Beauden Barrett as the most potent attacking threats at 10 in the world. The way he brought Scotland back into the match against England was breath-taking to watch, and he also impressed in the defeat against Wales. Missed the game against France with concussion, but you can see why Racing 92 offered him the chance to make it big in the Top 14.
Action Images via Reuters
8/24 9. Ben Youngs (England)
The most consistent option at 9 as he became England’s most-capped scrum-half with his 85th appearance on the final weekend. Significantly improved his kicking game for the tournament and will head to the World Cup as the unrivalled No 1.
Getty Images
9/24 1. Rob Evans (Wales)
Decimated Tadhg Furlong on the scrum as Wales worked out the Irish pack at the set-piece, and he stood up brilliantly in his other big tests against Kyle Sinckler and WP Nel. Mako Vunipola had early claims to the spot but only played one-and-a-half games, whereas Evans is in the most sustained form of his career.
PA
10/24 2. Jamie George (England)
Makes playing rugby look enjoyable as he does it with a smile on his face – especially when he bagged his try against Italy. Mr Reliable at the lineout throughout the tournament and probably the most mobile hooker in the Six Nations.
PA
11/24 3. Kyle Sinckler (England)
Took a lot of unfair criticism following the Wales defeat and continues to serve an education that will do him only good moving beyond this championship. Looks for work in the back line and possesses the handling ability to warrant his roaming role.
Getty Images
12/24 4. George Kruis (England)
Really stepped up his game in the absence of Maro Itoje and Courtney Lawes and deserves a lot of plaudits for how he ran the lineout in Dublin. Scored a try as well as set one up for Brad Shields with charge-downs against Italy and can be proud of what he offered the tournament.
Action Images via Reuters
13/24 5. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
A leader by example and the undoubted man of the series. Knew exactly how to get into England and put them under pressure in ways they couldn’t cope, and his sheer defiance to let what looked a bad knee injury forced him off against Ireland was inspiring. Deserved to lift the trophy off a Grand Slam, and he revelled in the moment when it finally came.
AP
14/24 6. Josh Navidi (Wales)
If Jones was the player of the series, then Navidi was the breakthrough star of the campaign. Looked at home in the No 6 shirt despite his preference to be on the openside and even got a run out at No 8 against Italy, ensuring he was one of few players to play in every match. His work-rate around the breakdown and in defence was extraordinary.
Action Images via Reuters
15/24 7. Tom Curry (England)
Looks like the answer to England’s openside flanker search, and at just 20 years old, he could well be a long-term option at that. Picked up the first two tries of his international career against Wales and Scotland, and it was that display in a losing effort in Cardiff that really stood out.
AFP/Getty Images
16/24 8. Billy Vunipola (England)
By no means did he set the world on fire, but he was the outstanding No 8 of the championship by quite some distance. Having missed the bulk of the last two tournaments with injury, it was a welcome sight to see the powerhouse back-row out there.
Getty Images
17/24 16. Ken Owens (Wales)
Brilliant in the loose and would have challenged for the starting shirt if his lineout didn’t falter too often.
Getty Images
18/24 17. Mako Vunipola (England)
Could have been the player of the Six Nations had his tournament not ended in the second round.
REUTERS
19/24 18. Tomas Francis (Wales)
Has well and truly usurped Samson Lee as Wales’ first-choice tighthead prop and enjoyed a very impressive campaign.
REUTERS
20/24 19. Cory Hill (Wales)
Injury cruelly ended his participation after the halfway stage, but his impact in the victory over England cannot be ignored.
Getty Images
21/24 20. Justin Tipuric (Wales)
Unlucky to miss out on the starting back-row and was at his disruptive best to plot the English downfall in Cardiff.
AFP/Getty Images
22/24 21. Antoine Dupont (France)
Brought life to a dying French side and looks like a real player to watch for the future.
Getty Images
23/24 22. Gareth Anscombe (Wales)
Answered his critics in style after Warren Gatland put his faith in him. Twenty-point haul as Wales secured the Slam was the perfect reward.
Getty Images
24/24 23. Manu Tuilagi (England)
How delightful was it to see him back in the England shirt and running at full tilt? Two tries against Italy and a destructive display in Dublin were reminders of why England have missed him so much.
REUTERS
1/24 Six Nations Team of the Tournament
Click through the gallery to see who makes Jack de Menezes' Team of the Six Nations.
Getty
2/24 15. Liam Williams (Wales)
Has claims for the player of the tournament award after a brilliant two months. Shone in the absence of Leigh Halfpenny and handled the England kicking game with ease in Cardiff. Should have scored against France but offered so much more than tries to Wales’ Grand Slam cause and is among the very best aerial footballers.
AFP/Getty Images
3/24 14. Josh Adams (Wales)
Early in his international career but has given Warren Gatland a serious selection headache if and when Halfpenny returns, as Adams deserves to be in the starting XV on this form. Tries in three consecutive matches against Italy, England and Scotland, including a moment against the Red Rose that will live long in the memory.
PA
4/24 13. Henry Slade (England)
A breakthrough tournament for the versatile centre who finally looks to have found his place in the No 13 shirt. Glides across the field with the ball in hand and his two tries against Ireland helped England banish their Dublin hoodoo. One of the most naturally gifted players of his generation.
Getty Images
5/24 12. Hadleigh Parkes (Wales)
Has slotted in seamlessly into the Welsh midfield and saved his biggest impact for the Grand Slam-clinching finale – not just by scoring the first try immediately but also for his try-saving recovery tackle on Ireland’s Jacob Stockdale. Manu Tuilagi certainly impressed with five consecutive appearances and a demolition job on France and Italy, but he could not match Parkes’ defensive reliability.
Action Images via Reuters
6/24 11. Jonny May (England)
The tournament’s top scorer brings fans to their feet whenever he receives the ball in space. Only failed to score a try in one of his five matches and bagged rapid 29-minute hat-trick against France. His relationship with Elliot Daly has been a joy to watch.
AP
7/24 10. Finn Russell (Scotland)
Alongside Beauden Barrett as the most potent attacking threats at 10 in the world. The way he brought Scotland back into the match against England was breath-taking to watch, and he also impressed in the defeat against Wales. Missed the game against France with concussion, but you can see why Racing 92 offered him the chance to make it big in the Top 14.
Action Images via Reuters
8/24 9. Ben Youngs (England)
The most consistent option at 9 as he became England’s most-capped scrum-half with his 85th appearance on the final weekend. Significantly improved his kicking game for the tournament and will head to the World Cup as the unrivalled No 1.
Getty Images
9/24 1. Rob Evans (Wales)
Decimated Tadhg Furlong on the scrum as Wales worked out the Irish pack at the set-piece, and he stood up brilliantly in his other big tests against Kyle Sinckler and WP Nel. Mako Vunipola had early claims to the spot but only played one-and-a-half games, whereas Evans is in the most sustained form of his career.
PA
10/24 2. Jamie George (England)
Makes playing rugby look enjoyable as he does it with a smile on his face – especially when he bagged his try against Italy. Mr Reliable at the lineout throughout the tournament and probably the most mobile hooker in the Six Nations.
PA
11/24 3. Kyle Sinckler (England)
Took a lot of unfair criticism following the Wales defeat and continues to serve an education that will do him only good moving beyond this championship. Looks for work in the back line and possesses the handling ability to warrant his roaming role.
Getty Images
12/24 4. George Kruis (England)
Really stepped up his game in the absence of Maro Itoje and Courtney Lawes and deserves a lot of plaudits for how he ran the lineout in Dublin. Scored a try as well as set one up for Brad Shields with charge-downs against Italy and can be proud of what he offered the tournament.
Action Images via Reuters
13/24 5. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
A leader by example and the undoubted man of the series. Knew exactly how to get into England and put them under pressure in ways they couldn’t cope, and his sheer defiance to let what looked a bad knee injury forced him off against Ireland was inspiring. Deserved to lift the trophy off a Grand Slam, and he revelled in the moment when it finally came.
AP
14/24 6. Josh Navidi (Wales)
If Jones was the player of the series, then Navidi was the breakthrough star of the campaign. Looked at home in the No 6 shirt despite his preference to be on the openside and even got a run out at No 8 against Italy, ensuring he was one of few players to play in every match. His work-rate around the breakdown and in defence was extraordinary.
Action Images via Reuters
15/24 7. Tom Curry (England)
Looks like the answer to England’s openside flanker search, and at just 20 years old, he could well be a long-term option at that. Picked up the first two tries of his international career against Wales and Scotland, and it was that display in a losing effort in Cardiff that really stood out.
AFP/Getty Images
16/24 8. Billy Vunipola (England)
By no means did he set the world on fire, but he was the outstanding No 8 of the championship by quite some distance. Having missed the bulk of the last two tournaments with injury, it was a welcome sight to see the powerhouse back-row out there.
Getty Images
17/24 16. Ken Owens (Wales)
Brilliant in the loose and would have challenged for the starting shirt if his lineout didn’t falter too often.
Getty Images
18/24 17. Mako Vunipola (England)
Could have been the player of the Six Nations had his tournament not ended in the second round.
REUTERS
19/24 18. Tomas Francis (Wales)
Has well and truly usurped Samson Lee as Wales’ first-choice tighthead prop and enjoyed a very impressive campaign.
REUTERS
20/24 19. Cory Hill (Wales)
Injury cruelly ended his participation after the halfway stage, but his impact in the victory over England cannot be ignored.
Getty Images
21/24 20. Justin Tipuric (Wales)
Unlucky to miss out on the starting back-row and was at his disruptive best to plot the English downfall in Cardiff.
AFP/Getty Images
22/24 21. Antoine Dupont (France)
Brought life to a dying French side and looks like a real player to watch for the future.
Getty Images
23/24 22. Gareth Anscombe (Wales)
Answered his critics in style after Warren Gatland put his faith in him. Twenty-point haul as Wales secured the Slam was the perfect reward.
Getty Images
24/24 23. Manu Tuilagi (England)
How delightful was it to see him back in the England shirt and running at full tilt? Two tries against Italy and a destructive display in Dublin were reminders of why England have missed him so much.
REUTERS
Haskell returned from a two-month toe injury lay-off at the start of April in an effort to force his way back into the international fold, but he has also suffered badly from ankle setbacks this season and in his absence the likes of Tom Curry, Sam Underhill and Mark Wilson have all usurped him in the England back-row pecking order.
He will end his career with 77 caps to his name and two World Cups in 2011 and 2015, while he was part of the Lions squad that drew with New Zealand two years ago. Haskell was a key figure in the 2016 Six Nations Grand Slam and 2017 championship retention, adding to the 2011 success in which he started every match under Martin Johnson.
At club level, Haskell is one of the England’s most well-travelled internationals after taking five seasons to gain experience abroad with France’s Stade Francais, Japan’s Ricoh Black Rams and New Zealand Super Rugby side the Highlanders, before returning to childhood club Wasps where he made more than 200 appearances.
“I have loved every minute of my career in rugby and feel very privileged to have played with and against some exceptional players,” Haskell added.
“There are so many people to thank, but in particular I would like to express my appreciation for all the coaches, trainers and physios who I have worked with throughout my career – from Maidenhead minis all the way up to England and the British & Irish Lions, I owe them all a huge debt of gratitude.
“I also want to thank all my team mates over the years for putting up with me and giving me an adventure that allowed me to laugh every single day.
“My thanks go out to the supporters here at Northampton Saints too who have welcomed me with open arms; I wish I’d been able to offer more on the field this season. This next chapter was supposed to go a very different way, however that is the nature of professional sport. I’ve never spent so much time injured in my entire career, but I’m doing everything I can to help the squad here until my contract ends.
“Finally, I would not have achieved what I have in this sport without the continued support of my amazing wife, my family, and my friends. To them all, I am incredibly grateful.”
Haskell made more than 200 appearances for Wasps before joining Northampton Saints (Reuters)
His international revival under Jones saw him become a key figure in England’s recent Six Nations success, and the Australian became one of Haskell’s biggest fans as he starred as man of the series in the 2017 series whitewash of the Wallabies.
“When I look back at my time coaching James, it will always bring a smile to my face,” Jones said. “It was a privilege to coach him, but also great fun. He’s what I’d describe as a ‘glue’ player – someone who always tries to bring a squad together.
“His tour to Australia in 2016 sticks in my mind. He was absolutely outstanding on that tour, amazingly physical, uncompromising and just totally dominant. Despite injuries preventing him from achieving his goals this season, he should be remembered for a great career and as someone who never gave less than 100 per cent for club and country.
Eddie Jones paid tribute to Haskell as 'one of the great characters of the sport' (Getty)
“Not only a superb player, but also one of the game’s great characters; rugby will be poorer without the ‘old fella’.”
Haskell is expected to remain in the public eye after already moving into media, having worked with Sky for their international rugby coverage this season and launching his own podcast, the House of Rugby, with www.joe.co.uk.