Dan Biggar has admitted he found missing out on a Lions Test spot 'tough to take' last time out in New Zealand.
The Wales star played well on tour, but was very much third choice at No.10 behind Ireland star Jonathan Sexton and England skipper Owen Farrell.
This time around against South Africa Biggar faces a battle for the outside-half spot in the Test matches with Farrell again and mercurial Scotland playmaker Finn Russell.
And, in an interview with the Telegraph, he makes it clear he will head down under with sights firmly pinned on starting the first Test against the Springboks.
"Missing out on Test selection last time was tough to take but I was also up against Owen and Johnny at their absolute peak last time," Biggar told the paper.
"It was a great tour and I loved it. I felt like I played some really good rugby. But that's a huge aim for this time around and I'd be lying if I said it wasn't. If you asked every one of the 37 they would probably say the same as well, so it's not going to be easy.”
Despite playing no role in the Tests, Biggar still had a big influence on the 2017 tour, kicking 35 points in his five appearances. He marshalled the midweek backline well in an impressive 34-6 thumping of the Chiefs just days before the first Test and during a thrilling 31-31 draw with the Hurricanes ahead of the second.
Biggar also shone as the Lions beat the Maori All Blacks and did okay personally in a one point defeat to the Highlanders. He had previously come off injured in the loss to the Blues, only the second tour game.
Gatland could yet replicate the success of 2017 by picking two fly-halves in the Test team, with Farrell chosen at 12 again.
That remains an option, although the power game Gatland is likely to decide upon for the clashes with the Springboks would see Robbie Henshaw at inside centre, the Ireland star asked to replicate the blockbusting runs Jamie Roberts used to make under Wales' Warrenball approach.
"I think people are forgetting how much success [Farrell] has had in that England shirt at 12 as well," says Biggar.
"Owen has tons and tons of qualities and what you need in big, tight matches are lots of people who are going to give absolutely everything and Owen is certainly one of those players. You certainly don't get any shortage of effort and dig-in."
A video went viral on Thursday of Northampton players celebrating wildly as Biggar and team-mate Courtney Lawes were named as Lions.
Although he smiles: "We actually dropped the next two balls after that announcement - so I'm not sure Courtney and I were particularly popular with the coaches."
