HENDY man Josh Adams says he was delighted to be named in Warren Gatland’s 37-man British and Irish Lions squad - even if it means missing the birth of his child.

With his fiancee Georgia due to give birth in mid-July, the 26 year-old winger says that he aims to do his family proud on the tour of South Africa, with their blessing.

His family have had to accept that coming back for the birth and returning to South Africa would be complicated, due to Covid-19 quarantine and squad bubble restrictions.

"It has been concerning because my fiancee is going to be giving birth without me," said winger Adams, who was the top try-scorer at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

"That's the conversations we've had with our families and between myself and Georgia, they've given me their full backing to go out there and do them proud.

"They are all behind me, I don't think it would have worked unless we sat down and had these conversations, but Georgia has been unbelievable about it.

"I've had advice off family as well and I'm so happy I've had their blessing to go, I have their full support, and this could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me.

"It has been difficult but she has been fantastic, and she understands how hard I have worked in the weeks and years gone by and is fully behind this decision."

Adams – whose name was read out first when the squad was announced in alphabetical order – has enjoyed a remarkable rise since being released by Scarlets.

He made his name with Worcester after time on loan at Gloucestershire club Cinderford, making his Wales debut in 2018 and winning the Grand Slam in 2019.

In March 2019, he joined Cardiff Blues, and follows the likes of Maurice Richards, Gerald Davies and Alex Cuthbert as Cardiff wings selected for the Lions.

Blues' Director of Rugby Dai Young, who was a three time tourist, said he was delighted for his star winger, who is one of 10 Welshmen named in the squad.

“I’m really pleased for Josh and he fully deserves the call-up, everyone knows his talents on the pitch," said Young on the announcement of the Lions' squad.

"He is as good a finisher as anyone in the game and has consistently demonstrated that – he's very professional and is always working on his game and doing his extras.

"He’s also a really good guy and will fit in well with the other players, I’m sure everyone will appreciate how hard he works both on and off the pitch.

“He fully deserves it, no doubt he will be pushing hard for a Test spot and I am sure he will come back with an enhanced reputation.”

Adams returned as one of nine changes from the Blues' side defeated by Ospreys two weeks ago, helping them to a 17-16 win over the Dragons on Sunday.

And to cap a memorable week, the winger opened the scoring as the Blues clinched victory in the Pro14 Rainbow Cup at Cardiff Arms Park.