Haskell, 32, says he is hoping to play in another World Cup for England

It takes a lot to quieten James Haskell, a man who has never evidently been short of banter or bravado, but the jokes dried up in the hours after his omission from the British & Irish Lions squad. Haskell’s social media accounts, which are usually buzzing with activity, fell silent as he contemplated what it all meant. The conclusion was painful.

“The Lions for me is the pinnacle of every rugby player’s career and it’s the difference between being a good player and a great player,” Haskell said. “I obviously wasn’t good enough to do it. That’s the fact.”

Had the Lions tour been last year, Haskell would surely have made the squad. He had been outstanding for England in their 2016 grand-slam campaign and