LLANDOVERY farmer Wyn Jones missed out on playing in the first Test of the British and Irish Lions series against South Africa after suffering an injury on the eve of the match.

The Wales loose-head prop had been named to start in the front row against the Springboks in Cape Town, but unfortunately damaged his shoulder in Thursday's training session.

Jones hopes to be back in training and is expected to be available for the rest of the tour, although Lions head coach Warren Gatland expressed his sympathy for the 29-year-old.

"It's really bad luck for Wyn and we all feel for him missing out on the game," Gatland said, ahead of the Lions' stunning 22-17 win over the Springboks on Saturday's first Test.

"However, we're still confident that he will be back in training for us next week, and we have no plans to bring in anyone else as cover at this stage."

Having helped Wales to win the 2019 Six Nations Grand Slam and the 2021 Championship title, the Llandovery man was the first choice loose-head prop for the first test match.

Jones, who was playing for Llandovery just five years ago, has won 35 Wales caps, and he said he felt honoured to have been named in the Lions' side to face the Springboks.

“It was a massive honour to hear your name, it’s such a competitive squad that anyone’s name could have been read out, but I was overwhelmed to get into it," he said.

On the last Lions' tour in 2017, Jones was making his Wales debut against Tonga in Auckland at the same time as British and Irish Lions were touring New Zealand.

“We watched all those Lions' games in the team room, a lot of friends were on that tour and we were just supporters then, I suppose," said the Scarlets' front rower.

“I probably didn’t think too much about playing for the Lions myself back in 2017, I was just focused on getting my first Welsh cap and then going on from there.

"As any player, you want to play the highest standard you can and being on a Lions tour, you can’t get higher than that, so to be picked for the squad was really exciting.

“Then, to be picked to play in the first Test match against South Africa was a massive honour and something looking back four years ago I wouldn’t have dreamt of."

Another former Llandovery RFC player was involved in the first test as Ireland back-rower Tadgh Beirne, who represented the Drovers in the Premiership, came off the bench

"Both me and Tadgh probably did it old school, a different way I suppose, it has been a whirlwind and I have not had much time to think about it," said Jones.

"I have just tried to take every opportunity as they have presented themselves – everybody is a bit different and I am proud of the way I have managed to do it."

Jones' withdrawal saw Rory Sutherland elevated from the replacements' bench, with the Scotland prop lining up alongside Luke Cowan-Dickie and Tadhg Furlong in the front row.

Mako Vunipola was included on the bench in Sutherland's place, having initially been left out of the matchday 23 named to take on the world champions for the first Test.

Skipper Alun Wyn Jones and outside half Dan Biggar were the only Welshmen to start, with hooker Ken Owens and full-back Liam Williams also coming off the bench.