Wasps snipers must get off Geech's back, says Haskell

He said: "They are the most successful coaches around by a long way and who could you choose that has a better record? It looks certain they will be joined on the tour by Warren Gatland.

"They all know how to win consistently and every player who has worked under them loves their regime.

"If those sniping at the choice of Lions coaches would like to produce some names to stand against Geech and Shaun, then we can have a debate. Otherwise, keep quiet and let the Lions thing happen."

Haskell is also unimpressed by suggestions the Wasps coaching staff are distracted by their Lions assignments and, in Edwards's case, the role he also has as the Wales defence coach. "I have read suggestions that the Wasps coaches have lost interest and are thinking about other things. That's just rubbish," he said. "We are playing some great stuff at the moment but are making too many individual errors.

"That's down the players not the coaches. If I drop the ball in contact, it's my fault not the coach. We are not going wrong tactically, it's technical.

"I love football but cannot understand why the managers and coaches are the ones who get sacked if a team have five or six bad results.

"Geech and Shaun don't take the field for Wasps, but are just as hungry as the players for success and that is transmitted to the players."

His own form is of more pressing concern and Haskell knows that with four England internationals on consecutive Saturdays next month, time is running out to prove to new head coach Martin Johnson that he is back to his best around the pitch.

Haskell said: "I am concerned that our results will have an impact on selection for the November matches at Twickenham. If you are not playing well you won't by picked by your country and I recognise that performing well for Wasps is the all-important stepping stone.

"Wasps haven't been playing well and we are all acutely aware of that.

"Martin Johnson made it very clear when he came into the job that he was going to pick players in form and I would hate it to be any other way.

"You don't get picked on reputation and it's very important that we all start playing well for Wasps because everything else will take care of itself.

"If I get selected by England, fantastic. If I don't, then it will be back to Wasps to help them win. I just enjoy playing and when you are losing it really makes you think about this game.

"You can either give up or keep battling to put things right. I hate losing and I don't play just to take part.

"The game this season has moved on and the core skills that are now being really tested tactical kicking and catching high balls are ones we haven't performed well.

"It's been a massively disappointing season so far and, against Leinster, the positive I took out of the match was that we are not a bad team but we were beaten by a better outfit.

"From my perspective, I didn't perform well enough at the start of the season and I know that. I tried to keep things simple and get my form back and we have never lost that desire to get out and win."