James Haskell backs Wasps team-mate Elliot Daly for British and Irish Lions

Image: Elliot Daly has been backed by club team-mate James Haskell to handle his short turnaround for the Lions

James Haskell has backed Wasps team-mate Elliot Daly to handle the seven-day gap between the 100-minute Premiership final and his potential British and Irish Lions debut.

England centre Daly has been promoted to the Lions' bench for Saturday's Sky Live tour opener against the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians, answering the call after Jared Payne's calf strain.

The 24-year-old ran in a try and played the full 100 minutes in Wasps' extra time 23-20 defeat to Exeter Chiefs in last weekend's Premiership final - and now finds himself whisked into a potential whirlwind Lions bow.

Image: Daly played the full 100 minutes of Wasps' Premiership final defeat to Exeter last Saturday

Wasps flanker Haskell insisted Daly would be fully ready to feature this weekend however, despite that marathon final - and having also only arrived in New Zealand on Wednesday.

"He'll be fine - we keep saying we'll train at 70 per cent to ease ourselves in, but the boys are going at 200 per cent," said Haskell.

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Image: Jared Payne's calf injury has seen Daly promoted to the Lions bench for their first tour game on Saturday

"And the eagerness, desire and excitement around wanting to play, it's difficult to put a lid on it.

"I think however tired Elliot might have felt, as soon as he had the chance to play, he's bursting out of himself for it.

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"As soon as I started training, I felt fine. I turned up after the weekend barely able to walk having played 100 minutes of rugby in that final.

Image: Haskell also played the full-game in Wasps' final defeat, but has backed Daly to perform if called upon

"But then you come here, remember it's a once in a lifetime opportunity, and you just get on with it.

"He's young, he hasn't been playing as long as some of the boys, so he'll definitely just get on with it."

A recent poll in New Zealand showed 78 per cent of those quizzed could not name a single Lions player, but Haskell was left unmoved by the news.

Image: The Lions only arrived in New Zealand on Wednesday, ahead of their mammoth 10-game tour

The back-rower enjoyed a stint with Super Rugby outfit the Highlanders in 2012, and insisted there is no malice in the All Blacks fans not keeping up to speed with rugby events around the globe.

"When I lived over here I learned the Kiwis just focus on New Zealand, but there's genuinely nothing in that, that's just how people here are," said Haskell.

Image: Daly is the only player to have played last week who has been called up by Warren Gatland for Saturday's fixture

"We've played sides before and I know they couldn't necessarily name players, but that's not important. If we play well there's no doubt people will take notice."

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