James Haskell, perhaps the unluckiest casualty of Brian Ashton’s trimming of his England World Cup squad, was back training at London Wasps today. The 22-year old flanker returned after Director of Rugby Ian McGeechan ordered him to have a few days off after the news last Sunday that Haskell had not made it into England’s final 30 for the 2007 World Cup.

Haskell is an ebullient character, and though Sunday’s news was obviously a huge disappointment, he is upbeat about the past few weeks with England and looking forward to getting back into club training with Wasps.

“If you’d said to me six months ago that I’d be called up for my country, and not only that but to prepare for a World Cup, I probably would have laughed in your face. At that time my priority was just to try and get into the Wasps team. But it did happen and it was a pretty exciting experience and great to have been involved in.”

Having won his first cap against Wales in England’s final game of the 2007 Six Nations, Haskell’s call up into the World Cup preparation squad was an opportunity to spend a much greater period of time in an international environment, and one which he has relished.

“It was a very positive experience all round,” he reflects. “At Wasps we pride ourselves on setting the bar high but when you are in the international arena, alongside the most talented players from across the country, the level of that bar is raised again. That was very apparent in training and in the expectations of John Wells and Brian.”

That Haskell won a starting berth in the warm up game against France last weekend is an indication that he must have met well with those expectations, and given the opportunity he took it as best he could. And though he ultimately missed out on the final squad selection, Haskell is happy that he gave it his best shot.

“From the playing of the anthems through to the final whistle I loved it, I knew this is where I want to be. I was pleased with my performance against France because I felt I did everything I possibly could in that game, and I’m going to do everything I can to get back in the England squad and give myself the opportunity again.”

Though Haskell has missed out, he is quick to take the opportunity to highlight the success of his close friend Tom Rees, who many in the game tipped as an early certainty for Ashton’s World Cup squad

“Every time the press talked about the England team, Reesy was mentioned alongside Jonny Wilkinson as one of the certainties to go, but I know Tom extremely well and I don’t think he’ll read too much into the media hype, he’ll just concentrate on going out there and playing his game.

“He’s had his fair share of banter from the squad as a result though, and we’ve given him a new nickname - Charlie Bucket, the boy with the golden ticket. We’ve told him all he had to do was open the candy bar that Brian handed him and he’s been laid back on the sunloungers ever since.”

“It is all banter though, and in reality no one gets a golden ticket. Reesy works very hard at his game, and he’s had to get past the niggles with his knee and hamstring recently. He is the stand out seven in England and he’s worked hard to get there. Touch wood it goes very well for him. We’re good mates and I always text him before a game to wish him good luck - I’ll be doing the same before tomorrow’s game.”

Meanwhile Haskell will be turning his attentions back to the demands of his club, as Wasps face a demanding start to the new season without their ten players involved in the World Cup.

“I’ve had a week off, but my focus now is to get into the Wasps team to establish myself here, keep myself fit and keep playing well.

“We’re facing a big challenge without the other international guys, but we are lucky that we have a good squad of players and I’m looking forward to playing in the back row with the likes of George Skivington and John Hart, it’s going to be an exciting time and we are looking forward to it.”

They will be without their talismanic team mate Lawrence Dallaglio, but Haskell has nothing but praise for his club captain.

“When Brian announced the Lawrence was in the squad that was always going to prompt a reaction. But Lawrence is a natural leader and he’s always going to have something to bring to the party. He will always front up and seize his opportunities. The important thing is that as well as what he has added off the field, he’s done his talking on the field both times he’s been selected. He’s played well and done the business.”