Haskell one of seven Stade Francais players to be released

ENGLAND flanker James Haskell is among a raft of players departing from Stade Français, following a huge shake-up of the Parisian outfit’s playing staff.

Having finished a lowly 11th in the Top 14 and failing to qualify for next season’s Heineken Cup after losing the Amlin Challenge Cup final to Harlequins, Stade were threatened with relegation after having financial problems but they received the necessary investment last week.

With the club’s Top 14 status secure, new administrator Bernard Laporte has wasted no time in making significant changes.

Haskell, Arnaud Marchois, Ollie Phillips, Hugo Southwell, Noel Oelschig, Juan Leguizamon and Mauro Bergamasco will all be leaving the Parisian club.

The former France coach also confirmed the arrival of former England wing Paul Sackey, Pumas fly-half Felipe Contepomi and former France front rower Olivier Milloud, Racing-Métro scrum-half Jérôme Fillol, Leinster prop Stan Wright, former Wallaby centre Morgan Turinui and Samoa full-back Paul Williams. Former All Blacks scrum-half Byron Kelleher is also expected to sign this week.

Laporte also made it clear that centre Mathieu Bastareaud would be staying, despite the France centre openly declaring his desire to move to Toulon.

“We want players of character,” said Laporte. “We need to find the will to do things together. I got the feeling the players wanted to control things. I can assure you, that is finished.”

Haskell has been linked with a move to Toulon and he has attracted attention from two Australian Super Rugby sides: Melbourne Rebels and the New South Wales Waratahs.

“My long-term future has to be back in England but it is a bit of a tricky situation at the moment,” Haskell said last month. “People have mentioned Super 15. What player would not be interested in that? There would be ramifications with England but if it were an option for a period of time, it would be exciting and beneficial.”

Elsewhere, Ulster’s Heineken Cup opponents Aironi have continued their recruitment drive with the signature of South African, loose forward Frans Viljoen.

The 28-year-old will join Cheetahs fly-half Naas Olivier at the club.