Gethin Jenkins, Alun-Wyn Jones, Ugo Monye and Jamie Heaslip have spoken of their delight to be selected for the Lions Test team.
Jenkins, Jones, Monye and Heaslip honoured at selection
Gethin Jenkins, Alun-Wyn Jones, Ugo Monye and Jamie Heaslip have spoken of their delight to be selected for the Lions Test team.
Head coach Ian McGeechan delivered the news to the players on Wednesday evening.
"We told the players last night (Wednesday). I read it out," said McGeechan.
"We had made some big decisions as coaches, and the players wanted it this way this time. After I had done it, we all went out for a meal together as a whole Lions group and shared each other's company, which is important after an announcement like that."
However after being told, the players were sworn to secrecy until the official unveiling of the team on Thursday.
"We found out last night, but we weren't allowed to tell anyone, so I had to bite my tongue which was tough. I couldn't tell my folks until today," said No.8 Heaslip.
"It's a bit overwhelming. All the texts are flying in now. It's a little bit crazy, a little bit weird.
"I think he read it out one to 15... I am not sure, mine was the last name I remember being read out!"
Excited
Monye, though, seemed a little overwhelmed by the sense of occasion, but was not even remotely fazed by the prospect of playing his third game in seven days, delivering a reminder of the Lions ethos.
"I'm so excited. If the game was tonight, I'd be ready to play!" he said.
"You are asked to do a lot more on this tour than you normally would be.
"I was a bit tired yesterday, but I'm all right now, my only true feeling is one of excitement. I can't wait to get out there."
Jones, meanwhile, stayed true to his roots, lamenting the lack of a song to sing to get that Welsh blood flowing beforehand.
"There's playing for your country and there's playing for the Lions. You have a dream to play for your country, you never dream of playing for the Lions. It's beyond a dream," said Jones.
"I've made the Test team now, that's the easy bit. It's going to be a lot harder to stay there.
"It's just a shame we don't have an anthem to sing at the weekend!"
However, a line is to be drawn. When offered the one and only Lions hymn ever to have been commissioned - 2005's caterwaul 'The Power of Four' - Jones thought for a second and said: "I think I'd rather sing the 'Power of Love'!"
Honour
Jenkins, the only one of the four to have already tasted Lions action in 2005's ill-fated tour, offered a more balanced reflection of the honour.
"It's the biggest game of my life," he said.
"It's not like an international when you've been with players for years and years and with coaches and you know each other.
"You have four or five weeks to get a plan together and to get to know each other and to play a team that only plays us once every twelve years.
"At the moment, I am just excited and just busting to get out and play. It's a great achievement. Now it's about going outside and performing."
