Danny Care affected by Lions squad omission

Danny Care says missing out on selection for the British and Irish Lions affected his performance for Harlequins against Wasps on Sunday.

"I found it really hard to get up for it mentally because Thursday I didn't get the nod," Care told the BBC Rugby Union Weekly podcast.

"It was a massive game for us and I wanted to play well, and personally I didn't have a brilliant game.

"I didn't start very well and I think I had a little bit going on in my head.

"Mentally it can grate on you. So I was a little bit off it and I had to have a bit of a word with myself at half-time and then I think I snapped out of it in the second half."

"It doesn't get any easier. It's the hope that kills you because I wouldn't have dreamed of being in contention," added Care.

"Then because we've been playing quite well and I've personally done alright and I got the letter I thought 'Maybe this is the year that I can be a Lion'.

"I had mates texting me all the time, sending me articles, sending me odds saying 'Mate, you're 4/5 to go - you're on the plane' and I'm like 'Lads I haven't heard a single thing'.

This was the fourth successive tour for which Care was told he was under consideration for only to be left out.

Full story via BBC