James Haskell’s rugby journey began with London Wasps, where he made his Premiership debut in 2002 as the youngest player to appear for the club. During his first spell with Wasps, he won the Heineken Cup in 2007 and the Premiership title in 2008, quickly establishing himself as a key player.

After moving to France to play for Stade Français in 2009, he further broadened his experience with stints in Japan with Ricoh Black Rams and New Zealand with the Highlanders. He returned to Wasps for a second spell before finishing his club career at Northampton Saints.

James Haskell | International Rugby

Internationally, James represented England at every age-group level before making his senior debut in 2007. Over the course of more than a decade, he earned 77 caps and became a mainstay of the England back row.

He was named Man of the Series in the victorious 2016 tour of Australia, a highlight in his international career, and was later called up to the 2017 British & Irish Lions squad. Known for his powerful tackling, tireless work rate and uncompromising style, James was respected as one of the toughest players of his generation.

He announced his retirement from professional rugby in 2019, citing injury as the deciding factor.

James Haskell | Media and Podcasting

Off the pitch, James was previously married to Chloe Madeley.

James has become a familiar face on television since retiring from rugby in 2019, bringing his humour and larger-than-life personality to various formats. He reached a wide audience in 2019 when he joined the cast of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, where his straight-talking honesty and sharp wit made him a memorable campmate.

Beyond reality TV, James has appeared as a pundit and commentator on rugby coverage, offering insight and analysis shaped by his international career. He has also stepped into presenting roles, guest-hosting and contributing to shows that blend sport, lifestyle, and entertainment.His media career has also included regular punditry on rugby coverage and appearances on talk and games shows. In 2020, James won Celebrity.

He co-hosts The Good, The Bad & The Rugby (GBR) podcast with Mike Tindall and broadcaster Alex Payne. The podcast launched in 2020 and remains highly active today, weekly delivering insights, laughs, and guests from the rugby and pop-culture worlds. GBR is consistently the no. 1 sporting podcast in the UK and has topped the global charts a number of times.

Backrow Radio is James’s monthly house-music podcast where he curates and mixes house, tech-house, and techno tracks.

Amuse Douche is James’s latest podcast where he takes centre stage in a comedic format.

James Haskell | Author

James has also made his mark as an author, writing several books that reflect his passions within and outside rugby. His titles cover everything from fitness and nutrition to mental resilience and lifestyle, including What a Flanker, an unfiltered autobiography that became a Sunday Times bestseller. The follow-up, Ruck Me, continued in the same candid style, combining humour with behind-the-scenes stories from his rugby career and life after retirement. His fitness books, such as Perfect Fit, draw on his experience as a professional athlete to guide training and wellbeing.

Full book list: 

– What a Flanker: The Funniest Sports Biography You’ll Ever Read, 2020

– Cooking for Fitness: Eat Smart, Train Better, 2018 

– Ruck Me: (I’ve Written Another Book), 2022

– Approach Without Caution: The 5-Step Plan to Take Control of Your Life (, May 2023) 

– Perfect Fit: The Winning Formula – Transform Your Body in Just 8 Weeks with My Training and Nutrition Plan, 2018

Co-authored:

– The Good, the Bad & the Rugby – Unleashed, with Alex Payne and Mike Tindall, 2024.

James Haskell | Speaking

James began speaking at dinners and events as a teenager, building a reputation from 17 for combining sharp insight with a distinctive sense of humour. Over the years, he has developed a wide repertoire of talks, ranging from light-hearted after-dinner speeches to impactful corporate seminars.

His talks explore themes, including: 

– leadership

– teamwork

– Success

– mental health

– personal growth

– fitness and wellbeing

– coping under pressure

– navigating the challenges of social media.

In addition to delivering keynote talks, James is often invited to host events and lend his energy as an auctioneer, bringing the same charisma and quick wit that defined his rugby career. His speaking portfolio is extensive, appearing at leading corporate headquarters, academic institutions, and international organisations.

Highlights include engagements with Oxford University, Cambridge University, Google, Apple, Jaguar Land Rover, British Airways, Under Armour, Mastercard and Vodafone.