James Haskell criticised for 'disrespectful' comments - Ruck

James Haskell criticised for ‘disrespectful’ comments

Broadstreet RFC secretary Richard Harcourt has hit back at James Haskell over critical comments he made about the club’s facilities, accusing the England flanker of being ‘disrespectful’.

Harcourt told The Rugby Paper: “Saracens aren’t doing badly, are they? Bristol train at Clifton, too, so it’s very disappointing whenever you read or hear anything about Broadstreet and Wasps, it’s negative comments about ‘grassroots facilities’.

“However, that just seems to be one individual (Haskell) spouting it, which is very frustrating because there was a time when he’d have been desperate to get on our first team pitch when he played some of his junior rugby here for England.

Haskell joined Northampton Saints in the summer.

“To be saying our facilities have ‘more holes in them than Brexit’ is just inaccurate and wholly disrespectful. It doesn’t do us any good as a club. What’s wrong with the model anyway when it works well for Saracens and Old Albanians?”

Harcourt added: “We were selected by Wasps because of the quality of our facilities. We are the best in the local region – 47 acres, five pitches, floodlighting, medical facilities, great clubhouse and a superb kitchen Wasps make full use of.

“They’ve installed additional medical facilities and a bigger gym, which you’d expect, but we’ve had no problem with the Wasps management and our relationship has been positive.

“Some of their academy players have played in our first team, their coaches have helped with training and we’ve had their players at awards nights. Our minis and juniors are delighted to be following in the footsteps of their heroes on Sundays.

“That’s all been really good but we’re damaged by these sorts of comments from James Haskell, who has benefited from playing here.”