Give his all on Lions’ New Zealand Tour

beckoned barely 24 hours later. “The Sarries boys flew to Dublin the next day at about two o’clock, so we had to very quickly put the disappointment of the loss behind us and have our Lions caps on,” he added.

“It was a good opportunity to move on, otherwise it would have been a long time to your next game if you were not involved in any of the summer tours.”

Despite George playing a key part for England and Saracens this season, winning the RBS 6 Nations title and European Champions Cup during a marathon campaign, he is delighted with his fitness.

“I feel really good,” he said. “They (Lions) put us under pressure in training this week, and it has been tough conditioning-wise. I have felt really good.

“A Lions tour gives you an increase in energy. Despite your body feeling a bit battered at the end of a long season, it does not come into contention as I am so excited about getting going with the Lions. It will be a while before I reflect on the season.

“It was a bit surreal getting selected by the Lions, but now I am here I am getting stuck in and really looking forward to it.

“We have been going through it all. We do not have that long until our first game, and we had to very quickly learn the calls. The expectation was on the players to get up to speed, and it has been going well.

“Everyone would prefer to start, but at the same time whatever role I am given I will do to the best of my ability.

“For England, so far it has been off the bench. Whether it is the same here, I don’t know, but whatever opportunities I get, I will be giving it my best.”