Jonny Gray says it would be “such an honour” to be named in the British and Irish Lions squad tomorrow for the tour of South Africa, but says it’s not something he has focused on.
Warran Gatland will announce his 36-man squad on Thursday, and Exeter Chiefs lock Gray would love to be involved.
However, if not, the former Cambuslang Rugby Club star says he will keep plugging away in a brilliant season that sees his club side sit second in the Premiership table.
Gray has also featured prominently for Scotland in both the Autumn Internationals and Six Nations Championship, and is loving life.
He said: “[Lions] is something that for any player would be such an honour to be involved in, and what an incredible opportunity that would be, but it’s something you can’t really think about too much.
“For me it’s been about being down at Exeter, trying to do my best and try to win the respect from all the players, coaches and staff down here.
“I’m just working on things, trying to improve my game and enjoying being down at Exeter, and if I get the opportunity to play for Scotland – which I’ve been lucky to do – I just try and play as best I can there, do my part for the team.
“The Lions squad is getting announced soon, so it’s just something we need to wait and see, but I don’t think it’s something you can focus on.
“You can just do what you can for your team, try to improve yourself, and then see what happens, but what an honour it would be if I was lucky enough to be involved.”
Gray is enjoying his rugby and the challenge it brings and wants that to continue.
He said: “It has been good, and it has been a big couple of weeks at the club. It’s all pretty tight in the league, you see how tight the standings are.
“In these last couple of weeks we’ve been playing against Bristol and Wasps, two top-class teams, so big battles, and it was good to come away with those two wins.
“It has been a crazy year, just with the whole season and stuff.
“I know there are bigger things out there and bigger things going on, but just coming down here, it has all happened pretty quickly, getting into those games and finishing off last season, when I came down.
“It has been really good for me, it has been a new challenge. I’ve lived in Glasgow my whole life and it was time to come down and try something new and get away from home.
“My mum’s not too happy about it sometimes, but getting out and getting some new life experiences has been great.”
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