Wales hooker Ken Owens says the reality that he is a Lion is finally hitting home.

 

Warren Gatland’s 41-man squad met up for the first time on Monday at their plush Syon Park base on the outskirts of London as the tour of New Zealand looms into view.

Owens is one of 12 Welshman in line to face the All Blacks and admits anticipation is building ahead of the trip to the southern hemisphere.

He said: “I was pretty nervous before the squad announcement because there had been a lot of talk and a lot of hype in the months leading up to it – and rightly so.

“It was a nervous time, I locked myself away and went on holiday for a week. I hired a campervan and went down to west Wales where there wasn’t much phone signal.

“I found a nice pub and watched the team announcement there with my wife and child.

“As soon as the selection came out my focus turned back to club duty. But meeting up with the boys for the first time today, getting the kit and putting it on showed that it’s not a dream.

“Now it’s becoming closer to a reality. We’re three or four weeks away from a huge tour of New Zealand.”

Owens is joined by England’s Jamie George and Ireland’s Rory Best as the three hookers in Gatland’s squad.

It’ll be the first Lions tour for the man from Carmarthen, who can’t quite believe he’s made the cut.

He added: “There are two very, very big kit bags. There are nine sets of training kits, 15 training vests and all sorts. There are two suits, shirts, shoes, the lot.

“It’s actually more than I’ve got in my house so I’ve got my clothes sorted for the next 10 years!”

The Lions provides a unique experience every four years in allowing the best from all corners of the United Kingdom to come together.

Owens is looking forward to the chance to get to know some of his familiar adversaries from the Guinness Pro12.

“I know the quality of the Irish and Scottish players very well from the Pro12,” he added.

“With the way the professional game is now you don’t often get the chance to socialise together as much as you did in the years gone by. It’s great to get the chance to be on the same side as them now and hopefully I’ll make some lifelong friends.

“We all want to go to New Zealand and put a marker down to try and win the Test series. That’s why the 41-man squad is here.”