James Haskell admits his call-up to the British and Irish Lions squad is a "childhood dream", but he has mixed emotions after Billy Vunipola's injury withdrawal.
The Wasps and England back-row received a call from head coach Warren Gatland on Sunday after Saracens' No 8 Vunipola was forced to withdraw from the upcoming tour to New Zealand due to an ongoing shoulder injury.
In addition to being England team-mates, Vunipola played alongside Haskell at Wasps during the 2012/13 season and the New Zealand tour would have been the 24-year-old's first Lions representation.
Vunipola has established himself as one of the world's best No 8s over the past two seasons and Haskell said he was "gutted" for the Saracen.
"It's a bit of a mixed one for me because Billy Vunipola is a good friend of mine and he's an incredible player," Haskell told Sky Sports News HQ.
"He's probably one of the best No 8s, if not the best No 8, in the world at the moment.
"I've had the opportunity and I'm very humbled because it's been a childhood dream of mine to go on a Lions tour.
"I had a missed call from Warren and I wondered what I'd done wrong. But I called him back and he told me Billy had been injured and asked if I wanted to go on the tour.
"I said 'yes please' and he asked me if I was sure. I said I was definitely sure, even if it's just carrying the bags and that was it really.
"I called Billy and told him I was gutted for him and I'm very sad that he's not there."
Haskell, 32, enjoyed a stellar 2016 and helped England whitewash Australia on their tour last summer in which he was named man of the series.
He missed the first half of this season after toe surgery but returned to help England retain their Six Nations title while he has also helped Wasps reach next week's Aviva Premiership final.
All 10 games of the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand will be shown live on Sky Sports, starting June 3.