England international James Haskell has criticised the new generation of rugby players, insisting that “they don’t have the social skills”.
The Northampton Saints back row is concerned that young players don’t have the tools to cope with life after rugby.
“My concern is that so many players, especially the young ones, all they know is rugby, all they want to be is rugby players,” he told Channel 4.
“They’re glued to their phones 24 hours a day, they finish training, they go home and play Fortnite, they don’t have the social skills, they’re mollycoddled with the media, so they just say boring answers all the time.
“And the suddenly one day someone goes ‘you know what, your knee’s gone, actually I don’t think you can do that anymore.’
“It’s business and it’s becoming way more ruthless. You’ve got to remember that you’re a commodity and as soon as you don’t serve your purpose, you are essentially dust.”
Haskell has been ruled out of Northampton’s European Challenge Cup clash against ASM Clermont Auvergne on Saturday due to an ankle injury.