Six Nations: Dai Young backs Wasps forward James Haskell for England start

Wasps boss Dai Young believes James Haskell deserves to start for England in their Six Nations opener against Wales in Cardiff on February 6.

Haskell has been in fine form for Wasps in recent weeks and is set to compete with Tom Wood for the blindside jersey in England’s back row at the Millennium Stadium.

Billy Vunipola is expected to replace injured No 8 Ben Morgan with captain Chris Robshaw starting at seven.

"I don't think James will be shoved into eight, but I'd feel for him if he's not starting to be quite honest," said Young.

"I think he's by far the form back-rower in England. I know I'm biased and I'm not pretending I'm not.

"I know I'm biased and maybe one-eyed, I'm certainly not going to knock any of the other players because I think they're all real quality players.

"But for me I think he's probably the form back-rower at this moment in time."

Intimidating

Former Wales prop Young is adamant that 51-cap Haskell is the ideal candidate to cope with the intimidating reception awaiting England in Cardiff.

"I do believe Wales' strength has always been their physicality, their power and their size, well Haskell is more than a match for that," said Young.

"If you really want to meet fire with fire, he's certainly the guy that can stand up to that.

"I'm not saying the other guys won't be able to, but he'd be in my team, put it that way.

"He can generally play right across the back-row, but what he has developed over the last 12 months mind is a really big, strong carrying game.

"His defensive ability from the day he came here has always been exceptional; his contact area work has always been exceptional.

"But the big areas I see he has improved out of sight are his carrying ability, he's one of our best carriers now, and his line-out ability.

"He can play six and eight and be a line-out option as well. He's not a Paul O'Connell of course but he's an effective target now."