Haskell calls for more creativity

Published on 26/06/2012 01:33

James Haskell believes England still have some way to go despite showing considerable signs of improvement during their tour of South Africa.

Stuart Lancaster’s revamped side maintained the progress they began in this year’s RBS Six Nations with three battling displays in their Test matches against the Springboks but still lost the series 2-0.

Haskell, who made an impressive international return in Saturday’s battling 14-14 draw in Port Elizabeth, feels he knows the areas the team needs to work on. The 27-year-old flanker said: “To draw or win against a southern hemisphere side is pretty special, especially on their own turf. Moving towards the autumn internationals, hopefully this has been a big step, but I think we have got to be a bit more creative in attack.

“We have got to test teams a bit more. We have got the physicality and the ability to finish. We have just got to be a bit smarter, get the likes of [Chris] Ashton and Manu [Tuilagi] running through holes rather than at people.”

England will play the Springboks again during their autumn international programme later this year, as well as facing Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.