James Haskell hit back at criticism from Lawrence Dallaglio about England's attitude by insisting there are no ego problems.
Wasps man hits back at Dallaglio claims by defending England attitude
James Haskell answered criticism from Lawrence Dallaglio about England's attitude by insisting there are no ego problems within the squad.
World Cup winner Dallaglio criticised the attitude of the England squad, saying that some players thought they were a lot better than they were.
Dallaglio also criticised the fitness and discipline of Johnson's men, but Wasps star Haskell insists there are no England players afraid of hard work to improve.
England will be looking for an improvement in performance as they face champions Wales on Saturday, after a laboured win against Italy in their Six nations opener.
"I don't want to disagree with what Lawrence says but the feeling and impression I get from dealing with players in this camp is that everyone is very hard-working and no-one thinks they are the bee's knees," said Haskell.
Big time Charlies
"I don't think (team manager) Martin Johnson or the rest of the players would allow that.
"I come from a club at Wasps where notoriously no-one has been allowed to be a big-time Charlie or anything along those lines.
"When we start winning and winning well, that is when there might be danger of getting too big for our boots but at the moment our feet are on the ground and we are determined to rectify things.
"If as a player you don't keep your feet on the ground then certainly Martin Johnson will put a big lead weight on you."
Dallaglio's discipline comments were aimed in part at Haskell, who was sent to the sin-bin for the second game in a row against Italy, while Brian Moore labelled him a 'half-wit' for his needless trip on Gonzalo Canale.
Stupid
"I know what Brian Moore said. It was a stupid mistake to get yellow carded for something innocuous like that," admitted Haskell.
"I do find it amusing. Let he is who is without sin cast the first stone, is what I always say.
"Everyone has an opinion but I do have a little smile sometimes because a number of the people who do make comments are guys who have been yellow carded on numerous occasions themselves.
"Guys who are just out of international rugby do have valid points to make - but it does make me smile because not so long ago I was playing with half of them and learning from their mistakes."
After six yellow cards in two Tests, Johnson will be drumming home the need for discipline in his ranks ahead of the Wales game.
With the Six Nations champions looking in decent touch against Scotland, England can ill afford to have 14 men for too long on Saturday.
