Scotland lock Richie Gray admits he will feel “star-struck” when he links up with his British and Irish Lions team-mates for the first time.
Gray is one of five locks selected in the 37-strong squad for the tour to Hong Kong and Australia and, having completed his recovery from a hamstring injury, he has a strong chance of making the Test team.
But first the 23-year-old must come to terms with being in the presence of Ireland veterans Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell, who will be making their fourth and third tours respectively.
“Brian O’Driscoll, Paul O’Connell I have watched these guys for a number of years and they are fantastic players,” Gray said.
“They have done exceptional things in Lions and Ireland jerseys. You get a bit star-struck because they are stars of the game.”
Gray will be competing for one of the second-row berths with O’Connell, a player 10 years his senior, whom he viewed as one of his role models, along with 1997 and 2001 Lions captain Martin Johnson.
“They are both huge inspirations. People have asked me who I looked up to during my childhood and Martin Johnson was one of the ones that stood out,” he said.
Gray sustained a torn hamstring in the Six Nations defeat to Wales on March 9, but has recovered from the injury ahead of schedule.
During his rehabilitation he registered the qualifying time for the British Olympic rowing team while improving his fitness on an indoor machine.