Scotland winger Tommy Seymour admitted to ‘feeling nauseous’ after finding out he had been selected for the British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand this summer.
Seymour’s inclusion comes as a reward for his excellent form over the last two seasons, which includes tries in this year’s RBS 6 Nations against Wales and Italy, while he also crossed the whitewash four times during the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Along with fellow wings Jack Nowell, Anthony Watson, Elliot Daly, George North and Liam Williams, he will have the chance to battle for a spot in the Lions’ Test team against the All Blacks.
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When asked how he found out he’d be travelling, Seymour said: “I was at lunch with [Glasgow Warriors teammate] Richie Vernon when the team was announced, just having lunch with a friend and relaxing.
“Ali Price and Finn Russell were in the corner of the coffee shop, and suddenly they started signalling to Richie and he just exploded.
“My phone started going off and then Ryan Wilson walked in out of the blue and started going mental round the coffee shop.
“I was just sitting there feeling a bit half-nauseous, sick, sweating, and then Hoggy [Stuart Hogg] came and picked me up and I was whisked to Murrayfield.”
Seymour has had to work hard for his success, with the 28-year-old having to rebuild his career at Glasgow Warriors after he was released by Ulster back in 2011.
Two years later, the Lions actually gave him a route into international rugby, as he was called up by Scotland for their tour of South Africa as a result of countryman Sean Maitland heading out to Australia.
Seymour has hardly looked back since making his debut against the Springboks, as he’s scored 16 tries in 36 Tests.
“I remember four years ago when Hoggy was first picked for the Lions,” Seymour said.
“We were all in the changing room watching it and I had yet to get my first cap, and I was hopeful that Sean Maitland would be picked so that there would be a wing spot for the [Scotland] tour.
“That’s how I ended up getting my first cap. It’s amazing to look back on that journey now.”
