LIST: Three players who REJECTED Lions call-ups from Warren Gatland

The England scrum half had been chosen in Warren Gatland’s squad in 2017, but opted not to take up his place when the cancer afflicting his older brother’s wife, Tiffany, was declared terminal. Thankfully, against all odds, she made a full recovery.

Vunipola withdrew from the Lions squad the day after Saracens’ last game of the season against Exeter in May because of his shoulder injury. He was due to report for a training camp in Dublin but opted against travelling to Ireland, despite Warren Gatland asking him to do so.

In 2013, Gatland revealed the World Cup-winner turned down the chance to tour Australia this summer. The Toulon outside-half was contacted by Gatland but informed the Kiwi coach he was not physically up to the task and would not be available for the start of the tour due to club commitments.