James Haskell: how Harry Potter is helping my Six Nations comedown
“How do I recover from a climactic finish like that?" says James Haskell, looking back at England's 13-9 defeat to Ireland in the final round of the Six Nations last Saturday. "Well, I spent my first proper night back home dressed as Harry Potter, in my pants, eating pizza and watching movies with Chloe.”
The line is pure Haskell: playful, honest, and just a little bit intriguing.
We speak only 48 hours after the match, where England missed out on the chance to become double Grand Slam champions but nonetheless secured a sixth Six Nations crown. Haskell has spent the day putting himself through a physical recovery session with the England squad, easing his body back into normality after the tumult of an international match. Inevitably, his mind is still turning over the events in Dublin.
“It’s just been really strange because although we were celebrating winning the tournament, it’s a situation where you could have achieved something so unique. It’s a fantastic tournament win, but tinged with a hint of disappointment.”
“It’s just been really strange because although we were celebrating winning the tournament, it’s a situation where you could have achieved something so unique. It’s a fantastic tournament win, but tinged with a hint of disappointment.”
Haskell insists that the opportunity to be a part of the competition this year – starting against Italy, Scotland and Ireland and appearing as a sub again France and Wales – was a blessing in itself. Having secured his place in Eddie Jones's new-look team after the disappointment of the 2015 World up, Haskell spent much of 2016 laid-up with a toe injury in a period that he describes as “the most frustrating” of his career. “To be back and a part of the whole set-up is something I’m so grateful for. There were points when I wondered if I’d ever get to play again.”
“Now the focus switches back to my club and maintaining the shape, the fitness levels and the standards I’ve been working to in order to get back playing for Wasps.”
Such is the nature of modern rugby – there's always a game just around the corner. Haskell says his life basically hits standstill during the Six Nations, but that doesn't mean the world stops spinning. “It’s been tough being away from home for the past nine weeks. The focus is obviously all on the 6 Nations. The reality hit me this morning (Monday) with the hundreds of emails to deal with and business appointments to sort out.”
Along with his roles as elite rugby player, nutrition and training program author, Instagram celebrity and ambassador for the f45training.co.uk fitness franchise, Haskell also has domestic duties to attend to. “I’ve been living out a bag for a few months and now the house is a mess with piles of clothes, kit and admin to sort out – Chloe (Madeley, his girlfriend and the daughter of Richard and Judy) has insisted I make that a priority!”
A post shared by James Haskell (@jameshask) on Mar 20, 2017 at 11:47am PDT
So how does he regain his focus and return to a sense of normality? “It’s about getting into the recovery routine. We’ve had the post-tournament celebrations. Getting back home and getting my feet back on the ground comes pretty quickly. You try and take a day or two off, but both Chloe and I are busy people.”
“As professional players you go through a physical recovery routine to help your body repair itself for the next challenge (see panel). But there’s the mental comedown too. Everyone has their own way of dealing with that.”
“We have our obligations to do the post-game media for England, but I don’t bother reading the rugby press so that’s one way I switch off to be honest.
“I do enjoy doing the fun stuff like the social media for my business, but I’ve not be able to do that for the past nine weeks because you don’t want to be distracted from what you’re doing. I find it helps me deal with any pressures and now I’m back with the club rugby there’s a little more freedom and flexibility to do that kind of thing.”
It seems the fun stuff also includes replacing the England kit and scrum cap with a magic wand and wizard’s cape. “Yep, I’m a bit of a Harry Potter geek and I’m sure the video is going to come out soon but basically as part of the coming home party with Chloe I was dressed up as Harry wearing only my pants. I don’t think many players ‘comedown’ that way!”
A post shared by Chloe Madeley (@madeleychloe) on Mar 20, 2017 at 4:13am PDT
Even the post-match pizza was a something of a rarity, Haskell reveals. “We both eat really healthily most of the time. In truth the first rule of getting into shape is to purge your house of junk food. Chloe did have this mad idea of us having a ‘treats box’. It was full of chocolate and sweats and was meant to be for very special, rare occasions – but we ended up eating the whole lot in one go on night so we won’t be doing that again.”
With the attention now shifting to the Aviva Premiership, which Wasps currently top, Haskell admits he’s keen to get back to winning ways. “I’d love to kick on with Wasps now and get some silverware with them and then, if I’m fit, go to Argentina with England in the summer,” says Haskell.
You suspect he won't need to wave a magic wand to make it so.
James Haskell’s Three Tips to a Quick Recovery
Sleep. “We’re lucky with England, the sleep set-up is very professional with quality mattresses. It’s crucial for muscle repair and hormone production – I’ve ended up on some ‘fish finger’ mattresses before and it’s no surprise you perform poorly the next day!”
Eat. “Protein rebuilds damaged muscle tissue, carbohydrates restore your glycogen stores and fat provides a slow burning energy source – build all three into every meal you have with foods like red meat, chicken, eggs or fish, then rice or sweet potatoes for carbs and avocados, coconut oil and nuts.
Heat. “OK, heat and ice really. Switch from a hot water bottle to an ice pack – or switching from a hot to cold shower tap – speeds up the muscle recovery after a heavy training session.”
James Haskell is an ambassador for F45 - the group exercise workout, based on HIIT training and developed to improve energy levels and metabolic rate visit www.f45training.co.uk
