James Haskell will arrive a few days late on the England tour to South Africa because of his Super Rugby commitments with the Otago Highlanders in the Super XV – the ideal preparation one might suggest. In the absence of the injured Tom Wood and Tom Croft, Haskell will offer experience and physicality in the back row, which England will need against the Springboks. Haskell was one of England's best players at the World Cup. He is returning to the Premiership next season with a move back to Wasps. His spell in the Super XV has earn him significant praise in New Zealand and further afield. England Coach Stuart Lancaster said "I have never coached James. However I saw his performances in the World Cup and the Six Nations before then. He is clearly a very good player," "He is coming back to England and it is an opportunity, we have lost key men at blindside and I am looking forward to working with him."