James Haskell joins Northampton Saints to keep Rugby World Cup dream alive but leaves his options open

Wasps flanker signs one-year deal but could be open to move abroad after the 2019 Rugby World Cup

James Haskell has signed a one-year deal to join Northampton Saints next season (Getty)

James Haskell will keep his 2019 Rugby World Cup dream alive after agreeing to join Northampton Saints next season, but the forward remains open to a lucrative move abroad in the future after signing only a one-year deal.

Having won 77 caps for England – the last of which came in England’s most recent match in the Six Nations defeat by Ireland – 33-year-old Haskell admitted that he was desperate to keep his international career alive by remaining with a Premiership club following his imminent departure with Wasps.

“I’m really excited and humbled to be joining a giant of English rugby in Northampton Saints,” said Haskell.

“Having had the opportunity to play against them for many years now, I know this is a club with a proud history and a set of passionate and loyal supporters who always make their presence felt.

“It’s no secret that I want to continue my international career for as long as possible; the only way I can do that is by putting my best foot forward in club rugby and helping Saints fight their way back into contention for silverware.”

At one stage Haskell feared that he would be forced to move abroad, ending any hopes of playing again for England due to the Rugby Football Union’s selection policy and Eddie Jones’ preference not to pick players based abroad in his squad, with the Wasps flanker admitting that he was yet to receive an offer towards the end of last month.

But Saints had at least expressed their interest in signing him and came forward with an offer, thought to be a deal in excess of £300,000, to take Haskell to Franklin’s Gardens next season and continue the club’s recruitment drive ahead of their next chapter, with Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd due to take over as director of rugby next season.

“There’s a real buzz around Franklin’s Gardens at the moment with the arrival of Chris Boyd, a new coaching team being put in place and a number of top-quality players also joining the squad,” Haskell added. “I can’t wait to get started in black, green and gold.”

James Haskell will leave Wasps for Northampton Saints at the end of the season (Getty)

Haskell announced earlier this season that he was leaving Wasps when the campaign ends, and with Wasps due to face Saracens in the Premiership semi-finals this weekend, his second spell with the club has a maximum of two games remaining. Having broken into the senior team back in 2002, Haskell left the club in 2009 for stints in France, Japan and New Zealand, before returning to Wasps in 2013 to take his tally of appearances to more than 200.

“We’re thrilled to have captured James’ signature for next season, as he’s a player that can bring so much to Saints,” Boyd, who will join Northampton in August, said. “Not only is he a superb leader with bags of experience at the very highest level, but James is clearly still extremely hungry to win trophies in club and international rugby.

“His record speaks for itself and I have no doubt that he will be an excellent fit for Northampton, both in the side and within the club.”