Elliot Daly excited by 'iconic' Lions squad announcement

Elliot Daly admits that a British and Irish Lions squad announcement is one of rugby's "iconic moments".

Daly is expected to be named among head coach Warren Gatland's chosen 37 or 38 players on Wednesday's unveiling of the touring squad to New Zealand later this summer.

Daly will be preparing for a normal training day at his club Wasps' base near Coventry on Wednesday, and admits the live televised midday announcement will not go unnoticed.

"I think everyone will be watching it," he said.

"It's one of those iconic moments, isn't it. Every four years, everyone watches it.

"It is a massive thing for the rugby community, and I think everyone is looking forward to it.

"I don't know whether we will be actually training at the time, so we will probably be outside.

"We watched it four years ago, and there were a couple of Wasps boys that might have been involved, so there is always a little buzz around the club, and as soon as Wednesday comes everyone will be talking about it on Twitter and everything like that.

"Hopefully, a few Wasps boys get in there."

If selected, Daly could prove to be an essential component of Gatland's New Zealand-bound squad, given his ability to provide options at full-back, centre and wing, with several pundits tipping him for a Test team starting position.

In 2013 it was a much different story, with the then uncapped 20-year-old Daly lining up against the Lions as one of only two Englishmen in a Barbarians side that acted as the opening tour opponents in Hong Kong's sweltering heat and stamina-sapping humidity.

Daly kicked a penalty for the Baa-baas in a 59-8 defeat, but four years on, he is firmly established as a member of England's Six Nations title-winning team under Eddie Jones, with 13 caps to his name and a growing reputation as one of the most exciting attacking players in European rugby.

"It was a tough tour, that, for the Barbarians," Daly added. "We had England at home (Twickenham), then we flew to Hong Kong, where the conditions were very warm, to say the least.

"I think we stuck with them for about 50 or 60 minutes, but then they blew us away at the end.

"They are a quality side full of quality players, and to play against the Lions was amazing.

"I was up against Jonathan Davies in the centre, and it was Owen Farrell at 10 and Jamie Roberts at 12."

Daly is expected to be among a double figure England contingent named in the Lions squad for this summer's 10-match tour, and the waiting game will soon be over.

"I think it (Lions) is in the back of everyone's mind, really, but you can't do anything but play well for your club," he said.

"I like playing anywhere on the pitch, whether that is centre, wing or full-back, I don't mind.

"I just want to do the best for whatever team I am in at that time, just try to get my hands on the ball and influence the game. Wherever that is on the field, I just love playing rugby and want to get on the pitch."