Josh Adams has been named in Warren Gatland’s 37-man British & Irish Lions squad becoming the 61st Cardiff Rugby star selected to tour.
The electric wing, who was top try-scorer in the 2019 Rugby World Cup, was named as one of 10 Welshmen in the 37-man touring party.
He is joined in the back-tree by Cardiff-born Louis Rees-Zammit, who came through the Blues pathway.
Gatland said: “We believe we’ve picked a squad capable of winning a Test series in South Africa,” said Gatland.
“Selecting a Lions squad is never easy and, in many ways, this has been the most challenging selection I have been involved in. Over the course of the last three weeks the coaches and I have rigorously debated each position. We saw some outstanding performances in the recent Six Nations, so competition for places has been tough with some incredibly tight calls to make.
“However, we are very happy with the squad we have assembled and look forward to meeting up in Jersey in just over a month’s time to start our preparation to take on the World Champions. We've left out some very talented players which gives an indication to the strength of this squad and we know how important that stand-by list will be
“Being selected for a Lions Tour is the greatest honour for a British and Irish player and I congratulate everyone named today.”
Adams now follows in the footsteps of the likes of Maurice Richards, Gerald Davies and Alex Cuthbert as Cardiff wings selected by the famous tourists.
The Blue and Blacks have now supplied 61 Lions, more than any other team and Dai Young, who was a three time tourist, was delighted for his star wing.
Young said: “I’m really pleased for Josh and he fully deserves the call-up.
“Everyone knows his talents on the pitch. He is as good a finisher as anyone in the game and has consistently demonstrated that.
“He is a very professional player and is always working on his game and doing his extras. He’s also a really good guy and will fit in well with the other players.
“I’m sure everyone will appreciate his professionalism and how hard he works both on and off the pitch.
“He fully deserves it, will be pushing hard for a Test spot and I am sure he will come back with an enhanced reputation.”
While there was elation for Adams, others in contention for places will undoubtedly be bitterly disappointed.
However, the attritional nature of rugby unfortunately means some of those selected might not even make the plane due to injury. There will inevitably be call ups and Young has urged those disappoint to remain fully focused.
He added: “Unfortunately for everyone that’s really pleased there’s a few that miss the boat but they need to keep their standards up and not switch off.
“There will be a standby list and if they are on there they need to keep themselves fit and focused. They need to keep their foot on the pedal because if there are injuries, people will be called up.”
Backs (16):
Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby, Wales) – Wing
Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby, Ireland) – Centre
Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints, Wales) – Fly-half #821
Elliot Daly (Saracens, England) – Centre #822
Gareth Davies (Scarlets, Wales) – Scrum-half
Owen Farrell (Saracens, England) – Fly-half #780
Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby, Scotland) – Centre
Robbie Henshaw (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) – Centre #824
Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs, Scotland) – Full-back #783
Conor Murray (Munster Rugby, Ireland) – Scrum-half #790
Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland) – Scrum-half
Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby, Wales) – Wing
Finn Russell (Racing 92, Scotland) – Fly-half #835
Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland) – Wing
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, England) – Wing #816
Liam Williams (Scarlets, Wales) – Full-back #833
Forwards (21):
Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby, Ireland) – Second row
Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) – Back row
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, England) – Hooker
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, England) – Back row
Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland) – Prop
Taulupe Faletau (Bath Rugby, Wales) – Back row #779
Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) – Prop #818
Jamie George (Saracens, England) – Hooker #819
Iain Henderson (Ulster Rugby, Ireland) – Second row #808
Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, England) – Second row
Maro Itoje (Saracens, England) – Second row #825
Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, Wales) (Captain) – Second row #761
Wyn Jones (Scarlets, Wales) – Prop
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, England) – Second row #826
Ken Owens (Scarlets, Wales) – Hooker #829
Andrew Porter (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) – Prop
Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, England) – Back row
Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland) – Prop
Justin Tipuric (Ospreys, Wales) – Back row #786
Mako Vunipola (Saracens, England) – Prop #787
Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland) – Back row