Cape Town - Anybody wondering why a British & Irish Lions tour is considered the pinnacle for an international player just needs to look at Leigh Halfpenny's reaction when he discovered he was included in the squad to tour New Zealand in June and July
The Welsh fullback posted a short video of himself sitting at home with his family while the announcement of the squad was being read out live on television.
The list was read out in alphabetical order, and when Halfpenny's name was read out the elation was unmissable.
The 28-year-old played in all three Lions Tests against Australia in 2013, winning man-of-the-series award as his side won the series 3-0.
In 2009, Halfpenny was due to feature in the Lions series against South Africa, but missed out through injury, playing just one tour match against the Free State Cheetahs.
With 74 Test matches to his name, a Lions call-up still means the world to Halfpenny.
The Lions play seven tour matches and three Tests against the All Blacks on their tour.
British and Irish Lions 41-man squad for the three-Test tour of New Zealand announced on Wednesday:
Backs
Fullback/wings: Elliot Daly (ENG), Anthony Watson (ENG), Lee Halfpenny (WAL), Liam Williams (WAL), George North (WAL), Stuart Hogg (SCO), Jack Nowell (ENG), Jared Payne (IRL), Tommy Seymour (SCO)
Centres: Ben Te'o (ENG), Jonathan Davies (WAL), Owen Farrell (ENG), Robbie Henshaw (IRL), Jonathan Joseph (ENG)
Flyhalves: Jonathan Sexton (IRL), Dan Biggar (WAL)
Scrumhalves: Conor Murray (IRL), Rhys Webb (WAL), Ben Youngs (ENG)
Forwards
Back row: Taulupe Faletau (WAL), Billy Vunipola (ENG), Sam Warburton (WAL, captain), Sean O'Brien (IRL), CJ Stander (IRL), Ross Moriarty (WAL), Peter O'Mahony (IRL), Justin Tipuric (WAL)
Locks: Maro Itoje (ENG), Alun Wyn Jones (WAL), Iain Henderson (IRL), George Kruis (ENG), Courtney Lawes (ENG)
Tighthead props: Tadhg Furlong (IRL), Dan Cole (ENG), Kyle Sinckler (ENG)
Hookers: Jamie George (ENG), Rory Best (IRL), Ken Owens (WAL)
Loosehead props: Mako Vunipola (ENG), Joe Marler (ENG), Jack McGrath (IRL)
Fixtures for the British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand:
June 3: v Provincial Union XV, Whangarei
June 7: v Blues, Auckland
June 10: v Crusaders, Christchurch
June 13: v Highlanders, Dunedin
June 17: v Maori All Blacks, Rotorua
June 20: v Chiefs, Waikato
June 24: 1ST TEST v NEW ZEALAND, Auckland
June 27: v Hurricanes, Wellington
July 1: 2ND TEST v NEW ZEALAND, Wellington
July 8: 3RD TEST v NEW ZEALAND, Auckland
WATCH: LEIGH HALFPENNY DISCOVERS HE IS A LION ONCE AGAIN
What a feeling #AllForOne pic.twitter.com/R6xjbtIeHl
— Leigh Halfpenny (@LeighHalfpenny1) April 19, 2017