Josh Adams says he is "hungry to kick on" after an eventual British and Irish Lions Tour to South Africa, during which he became a dad for the first time.

The livewire 26-year-old Wales winger missed the South Africa A game to watch his fiancée Georgia give birth to their daughter Lottie via Zoom.

But the Hendy man finished his first Lions Tour by earning his first Test cap in the famous red jersey in the series decider against the Springboks.

“After everything that’s happened throughout the Tour, to be able to say I’m a Test Lion is a fantastic feeling and I’m proud to have joined a club of special players.," he said.

“After all the hard work we put in, I think we deserved more but that’s how rugby is sometimes, and hats off to South Africa, fair play.”

Adams finished the 2021 Tour as the top try scorer for the Lions, crossing the whitewash eight times in total, including a hat-trick against the Cell C Sharks and four against the Sigma Lions.

And having missed out on the matchday squad for the first two Tests before being called up for the decider, he reflected on a rollercoaster Tour both on and off the field.

“It started off quite smoothly but as the due date got closer, you’re a bit more nervy about when she might go into labour," said Adams.

"After a day or two of it all settling and knowing they were both ok, it was all focused on the first Test,” he said.

“The boys who got selected thoroughly deserved their spots, I kept my head down in the two weeks I didn’t play and thankfully got my opportunity."

While the finale ultimately did not go the way of the tourists, Adams said his first experience of the Lions had lived up to all expectations.

"I think it’s vital the Lions continues for as long as possible, it’s a unique organisation that comes around every four years, and an amazing experience" he said.

"The elite from the northern hemisphere get to represent this prestigious club, and it's the pinnacle of rugby union for the British and Irish boys.

"It’s very difficult to sum up and portray my feelings to you as you have to experience it yourself to really know what it’s like.

“We’ve not been able to experience South Africa as fully as we might have wanted to, but it’s certainly made me hungry to kick on and be selected for the next Tour.

“I know it’s a long way away and many things can happen, but if I was still playing well and available, to represent the Lions again would be incredible.”

He added: “I’ve learned a lot from other players as well, not just the new coaches I’ve played with.

"Being able to train and play with them has been brilliant. I’m certainly a better player and person leaving this Tour.”