LLANDOVERY man Wyn Jones has been selected for the British and Irish Lions' tour to South Africa this summer – making it a record-equalling four Scarlets players in Warren Gatland's squad.

Jones, 29, made his international debut 2017, before going on to win the Six Nations Grand Slam with Wales in 2019, and represented Wales in the 2019 Rugby World Cup in France.

Playing a key part of Wayne Pivac's Six Nations Championship winning side earlier this year, he has earned his place as one of 10 Welshmen selected for the 2021 Lions tour.

"I'm obviously chuffed to bits and can't wait to get involved," said the former Llandovery prop, who spent years learning his trade in the Welsh Premiership before turning professional.

"It's slightly surreal to hear that you have been named in the Lions squad, it is a massive thing for myself, and it probably hasn't quite sunk in yet."

The loose-head prop is joined by fellow Scarlets in hooker Ken Owens, scrum-half Gareth Davies and full-back Liam Williams in the 37-man squad heading to the Rainbow Nation.

The four Scarlets men follow in the footsteps of some of the greats of the game who have worn the red of Scarlets - 29 Scarlets players have represented the cream of Britain and Ireland.

Notably, the Scarlets previously had four squad members on the all-conquering Lions tour to South Africa in 1974, in Phil Bennett, JJ Williams, Derek Quinnell and Roy Bergiers.

Meanwhile Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones will lead the British and Irish Lions squad to South Africa this summer, after he was confirmed as Warren Gatland’s tour captain.

Jones, 35, has clocked up a world record 157 Tests for his country and the Lions on three previous tours.

He is joined by fellow Welshmen Josh Adams (Cardiff Blues), Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester), Liam Williams (Scarlets), Taulupe Faletau (Bath), Wyn Jones (Scarlets), Ken Owens (Scarlets) and Justin Tipuric (Ospreys).

“I’m very proud and privileged. It’s obviously a huge privilege," said the Lions skipper.

"To be selected in the squad is obviously where you want to be as a player. I had the call from Gats on Sunday.

“It was actually a missed call so I thought I had better call him back. We had a chat and he offered me the captaincy. I accepted, obviously.

"I’ve got a huge amount of pride to be able to add this to my CV but there is a huge amount of work for us to do when we get out there for the games.

“I told my nearest and dearest but kept it pretty tight. It’s nice that it’s out there now. The significance isn’t lost on me.

"A few of the home nations played South Africa at the last World Cup and to do it again is an honour. To go from my first tour in 2009 to now feels like a lifetime ago.

“I enjoy my sport and want to continue.”

The British and Irish Lions begin preparations for their Test series with a warm-up game against Japan at Murrayfield on 26 June.

Gatland's side are scheduled to play eight games across six locations in South Africa, and the team will train and play in a coronavirus bubble with camps in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

The Lions are due to play Tests at Soccer City and Ellis Park in Johannesburg, either side of a match at Cape Town Stadium.

British and Irish Lions 2021 squad:

Forwards: Tadhg Beirne (Ire), Jack Conan (Ire), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Eng), Tom Curry (Eng), Zander Fagerson (Sco), Taulupe Faletau (Wal), Tadhg Furlong (Ire), Jamie George (Eng), Iain Henderson (Ire), Jonny Hill (Eng), Maro Itoje (Eng), Wyn Jones (Wal), Courtney Lawes (Eng), Ken Owens (Wal), Andrew Porter (Ire), Sam Simmonds (Eng), Rory Sutherland (Sco), Justin Tipuric (Wal), Mako Vunipola (Eng), Hamish Watson (Sco).

Backs: Josh Adams (Wal), Bundee Aki (Ire), Dan Biggar (Wal), Elliot Daly (Eng), Gareth Davies (Wal), Owen Farrell (Eng), Chris Harris (Sco), Robbie Henshaw (Ire), Stuart Hogg (Sco), Conor Murray (Ire), Ali Price (Sco), Lewis Rees-Zammit (Wal), Finn Russell (Sco), Duhan van der Merwe (Sco), Anthony Watson (Eng), Liam Williams (Wal).