England hero James Haskell reveals advice to players ahead of Rugby World Cup final

England hero James Haskell has revealed he’s told members of Eddie Jones’ squad to enjoy themselves in the Rugby World Cup final showdown with South Africa.

Jones’ men booked their place in Saturday’s showpiece event with a 19-7 victory over New Zealand on Saturday, with two tries from Manu Tuilagi, three conversions from Owen Farrell and four penalties from George Ford giving them a famous win.

They will go up against South Africa in a repeat of the 2007 final, where England came up short.

And Haskell has opened up on what he’s told England players ahead of the showdown against the Springboks.

“As long as all those guys are fit and ready to fire, I wouldn’t change the team to play South Africa,” he told the Daily Mail.

“It was the perfect balance. Itoje was the best I’ve ever seen him, Courtney Lawes can deal with the Bok physicality and, despite what people say, George Ford has the best tackling stats of any No 10 in 2019.

“To beat South Africa, you have to be smart. You have to match them with physicality but you don’t want to fall into a man test.

“There’s a lot of enormous lads who clearly have to buy their clothes at Big and Tall.

“They make me look like a naughty school boy.

“Right from kick-off, someone will run in with a shoulder or a head to set the tone. You know right away this is going to be tough.

“England’s discipline was fantastic on Saturday and they have to maintain that because Handre Pollard can kick from anywhere.

“England need to be razor sharp. They played more like the All Blacks than the All Blacks on Saturday and they will want to stretch South Africa defensively.

“I’ve spoken to a couple of the England guys and I’ve just told them to enjoy it. It will go very quickly and, win or lose, it’s their greatest achievement just to get there.”

England will welcome ben Spencer into their squad for the final showdown, with the Saracens scrum-half primed to replace Willi Heinz.

Heinz was forced out the showdown against New Zealand with a hamstring injury.

And England coach Jones believes Spencer is up for the task of replacing him on Saturday.

“It is tough for Willi. He’s been a great contributor and a very well liked member of the squad and was in tears in the dressing room,” said Jones.

“He has collected himself and knows he has another role to do for us and will fulfil it well this week.

“Ben has been in and around the squad for the last couple of years and knows the game and knows the players and is a fit guy and fits in quickly.

“We said to the guys outside the 31 that they need to be ready to go.

“It is a great opportunity ahead of him and he has to learn a few new things and Willi and Ben [Youngs] will help him with that.

“The task in hand is no different from any other player and he has to learn a bit more and get himself physically and mentally ready.”