HarperCollins What a Flanker

Bought as a Christmas gift for a friend who is a rugby fanatic. He thoroughly enjoyed it, highly recommended!

Arrived on time. Good condition- well packaged

Bought this for poolside reading on holiday, couldn’t put it down and finished it in 3 daysFunny, well written and shocking in places, especially the insight into how players are often treated.

I came on to Hask's book after Gat's and Eddie Jones's somewhat heavyweight reading, and it certainly made an entertaining and informative change. Laugh-out-loud in places and insightful. I only ever read on the crapper, and positively looked forward to my next dump (sometimes even squeezing two movements in one day just to get the next chapter in).Plus when I took a load of kids to watch an England game, Hasks was a really top bloke and spent a HUGE amount of time talking, selfies, autographs etc after putting in a full shift on the pitch - really made the day for a load of 9 year old kids. Top bloke, great read.

I have always been a fan of James Haskell. I remember seeing him in interaction with a group of young lads who were junior rugby players (my son included) and he was very generous with his time and was brilliant with them. His wife Chloe was there as well and she came across extremely well. I read the book with some amusement but also a sense of despair, particularly towards the end. I admire James and his contribution to rugby both in the Premiership and also the national team. In the 3 nil drubbing that England dealt out to Australia he was superb. A real force of nature and watching him walking the pitch greeting fans afterwards while limping and with blood coming out of his boot left no one in doubt re his passion and commitment. What I do find disappointing (but very honest) is the constant brushes with authority due to poor judgement and immaturity while a senior player. The high jinks and the fun are great but as a rugby fan Hask would call me a nause) I would have loved to hear more about the key games, the emotion, the team bonding and the sensation of playing at the highest level and achieving your dreams. Like most of us he hides his a actual feelings, thoughts and genuine emotions behind this court jester public persona. Thanks for the memories James and that 3 - nil tour against Australia.