Ross Moriarty admitted he was honoured and shocked to be handed his British & Irish Lions call-up for the tour to New Zealand.

The Gloucester back row forward is one of 12 Wales players named in Warren Gatland’s squad.

And Moriarty admitted he had a nervous wait over his lunch before discovering his form for the Cherry&Whites and Wales this season had got him the nod.

Moriarty, who turned 23 on Tuesday, said: “Obviously it’s a shock to me, but I’m truly over the moon. It’s not really sunk in yet.

“I was listening on my phone, and checking Twitter whilst out for lunch down in Bill’s, at the Quays, and as the names were going on, it was getting longer and longer, and I really didn’t expect to get named.

“When it came, I was just so shocked. I didn’t know what to do with myself.”

The 17-cap powerhouse added: “There’s a lot of players that I’ve played with in Wales, and against over the last few years, so everyone is going to be familiar.

“Hopefully we can go over and do something really good over in New Zealand.”

“Obviously I give everything everytime I take to the field with Gloucester, and also on the international stage and it is paying off.

“Hopefully I’ll be able to pull on a Lions shirt and it will be an honour.

“It’s an honour for any rugby union player to achieve, and I don’t think it has set in yet.

“I think after it, I will realise what I have done and achieved. So fingers crossed it all goes well.”