Rugby: Haskell out to make his mark

England's James Haskell. Photo / Richard Robinson

When England's James Haskell takes the field tomorrow night it's not just the culmination of a World Cup dream, but a Super 15 dress rehearsal.

The loose forward, who stretches the tape measure out to 1.94m and carries 111kg around the park with him, is embarking on a season with Japanese club side Ricoh Black Rams. In 2012-13 he takes up a three-year contract with Wasps but in between times he is hoping to pick up a contract to play a season of Super 15.

Haskell has just completed a two-year stint at Stade Francais, where he got to know several members of the Argentine team he will be facing tomorrow, including formidable prop Rodrigo Roncero.

"We know what the Argentina team is about, they're very passionate, but so are the English," Haskell said.

Haskell has even more reason to impress than trying to catch the eye of the Chiefs, the Rebels or any other Super franchise that might be in the market for a physical loose forward.

Lewis Moody is tipped to return to fitness sooner rather than later and Haskell can stake a significant claim for continued involvement in this tournament in a single-digit numbered jersey.

The absence of Moody continues to be a talking point. The England camp are making positive noises about a return next weekend, but most are taking that information with a grain of salt.

Experienced centre Mike Tindall will flip the coin before heading into the unknown.

"It's the first time I've played indoors under a clear roof, but the pitch is the same size and that's all that matters," Tindall said.

Coach Martin Johnson said that on-field communication had been emphasised.

"What we've heard from previous games is that it's very noisy when there's a crowd in there and the sound reverberates around, so we've spoken to them about communication on the field."

Johnson rated the stadium as "fantastic" and believed the two sides would give it the World Cup debut it deserved. He said his side were primed nicely after an error-free training in wet conditions at Carisbrook on Thursday night.

"It'll be a good game [tonight] between two teams who made the semifinals of the last World Cup.

"We just want to get the tournament going and get some games [rather than] watching re-runs on the telly".