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Stuart Lancaster: 'James Haskell keen to impress'

Lancaster: 'Haskell keen to impress'
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Stuart Lancaster is impressed by James Haskell's desire to play for England.

England coach Stuart Lancaster has hailed returning flanker James Haskell's desire to do well in South Africa.

Haskell was part of the side's poor World Cup showing last year and didn't feature in Lancaster's plans following his move to play club rugby in Japan and New Zealand. However, the 27-year-old has since re-joined Wasps ahead of next season, and has impressed the national coach since being included in the 42-man party.

"Since the World Cup he has been at different clubs in different environments and, as he said to me, he is very keen to come in and make a good impression and force his way into the Test team. That is his aim," said Lancaster.

"He is delighted to be here and very keen to put his front foot forward.

"He spoke of his experiences playing against the Super 15 sides and I talked him through the journey of the Six Nations, the training camp and where we are as a group. It was nice to meet him one to one and work with him."

Haskell has 39 England caps.

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