Rory Best has expressed pride and described his Lions team-mates' reactions after it was announced that he had been awarded an OBE for his services to rugby.
The Ireland skipper, who will captain the British & Irish Lions against the Chiefs on Tuesday, says his colleagues treated the news with a mixture of humour and sincerity.
“Gats announced it in the team room and of course they made me get up and say a few words,” Best said.
“They all congratulated me and we went out for a bit of dinner together, so they’re now calling me sir as well. Joe Marler won’t let me carry my kit bag - he’s carrying it for me.
“It’s all good fun but I think there was a lot of sincere congratulations as well, which is nice when you’re surrounded by the best players and they’re coming up and giving you congratulations. It means a lot.”
Best added that he will be hopeful that Tuesday’s encounter goes better than his previous experience as captain of the Lions, when they lost 14-12 to the Brumbies during the 2013 tour.
“The last time I captained the Lions it didn’t go perfectly for us, but I’ll personally be looking to set that record straight on Tuesday.
“I think when you look at our team we’re more than capable of it. We’re used to playing with each other and you always want a little bit more. So we’ll want that win on Tuesday, and ultimately we want to win a test series.
“Whoever is lucky enough to take the field in those tests, they’re very fortunate, but it’s our job as well to make sure that everyone else is rallying around that and the same for the game on Tuesday.
“It’s the next game on the tour and we have a chance to build momentum into the weekend and next week, but we are getting excited about playing for the Lions against a top side.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play here a few times with Ireland and it’s a top ground, it’s a fantastic pitch and great atmosphere,” he said, referring to the famous FMG Stadium Waikato.
“To pull on that Lions jersey and take on the Chiefs is a prospect that we’ve got to get excited about.”
Best's Ulster team mates Iain Henderson will also play against the Chiefs on Tuesday.
The Ireland skipper, who will captain the British & Irish Lions against the Chiefs on Tuesday, says his colleagues treated the news with a mixture of humour and sincerity.
“Gats announced it in the team room and of course they made me get up and say a few words,” Best said.
“They all congratulated me and we went out for a bit of dinner together, so they’re now calling me sir as well. Joe Marler won’t let me carry my kit bag - he’s carrying it for me.
“It’s all good fun but I think there was a lot of sincere congratulations as well, which is nice when you’re surrounded by the best players and they’re coming up and giving you congratulations. It means a lot.”
Best added that he will be hopeful that Tuesday’s encounter goes better than his previous experience as captain of the Lions, when they lost 14-12 to the Brumbies during the 2013 tour.
“The last time I captained the Lions it didn’t go perfectly for us, but I’ll personally be looking to set that record straight on Tuesday.
“I think when you look at our team we’re more than capable of it. We’re used to playing with each other and you always want a little bit more. So we’ll want that win on Tuesday, and ultimately we want to win a test series.
“Whoever is lucky enough to take the field in those tests, they’re very fortunate, but it’s our job as well to make sure that everyone else is rallying around that and the same for the game on Tuesday.
“It’s the next game on the tour and we have a chance to build momentum into the weekend and next week, but we are getting excited about playing for the Lions against a top side.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play here a few times with Ireland and it’s a top ground, it’s a fantastic pitch and great atmosphere,” he said, referring to the famous FMG Stadium Waikato.
“To pull on that Lions jersey and take on the Chiefs is a prospect that we’ve got to get excited about.”
Best's Ulster team mates Iain Henderson will also play against the Chiefs on Tuesday.