Sale winger Mark Cueto was delighted to be named in Sir Clive Woodward’s British & Irish Lions side to face Bay of Plenty on June 4.
Cueto was a late call-up to the Lions squad after Ian Balshaw was forced out through injury, but he has done enough to earn his place in the starting line-up, announced on Sunday.
"I was thrilled to hear I was selected," said Cueto. "Just over a week ago I didn’t think I’d be here at all.
"To be in the team for the first match of the tour is fantastic. I can’t wait to get out there.
"I am definitely ready. I want to carry on playing rugby. I consider myself to be in as good form as I have been in over the last three or four years," he added.
"My preparation has been brilliant in terms of the games I have been able to play.
"In the last four to six weeks I have managed to keep hold of that form, I kept scoring the tries and doing the right things and hopefully I can do that at the weekend.
"Your job as a winger is to score tries, but there is a lot more to the game than that; defence, position around the field. There is all manner of things to be on top of.
"I am looking for an all-round decent performance and a try would be nice too."
The side will be captained by Brian O’Driscoll who is raring to go after being rested for the Lions’ send-off against Argentina with this game in mind.
"After all the waiting and the preparation it will be great to get out there and play the first match in New Zealand," said O’Driscoll.
"This is a strong side and we can’t wait to get out in front of the New Zealand public and show what we can do on the rugby field."
