Wednesday 28 June 2017 08:28, UK
Scotland pair Allan Dell and Finn Russell insist they have no regrets about joining the British and Irish Lions as controversial mid-tour reinforcements.
The duo joined the Lions as two of six mid-tour call-ups by Warren Gatland, designed to ease the burden on the Test match squad. However, the move has been criticised, with many insisting it devalues the shirt, amid claims the players were selected on proximity ahead of merit.
Prop Dell and fly-half Russell, who arrived from Scotland's tour of Australia, are the only call-ups to have taken to the field with Wales foursome Kristian Dacey, Tomas Francis, Cory Hill and Gareth Davies totalling zero pitch time.
Russell played the grand total of six minutes against the Hurricanes on Tuesday as Dan Biggar underwent a HIA, while Dell featured for 10 minutes against the Chiefs with Joe Marler in the sin-bin.
Neither player has any regrets of their tour involvement though.
"I'm definitely glad I came out here; you'd really regret not coming out here," said Russell. "It's a big chance. It might never happen again. So you take it and make the most of it. We've only been here 10 days, it's been so quick.
"We were on such a high after the Australia game, then we were flown out and one thing rolls into the other.
"I guess in time it will sink in what it really means to play for the Lions, once we're back home and have a bit more time to think it through.
"For the boys who were picked after the Six Nations, they had all the build-up, but for us it was a very quick turnaround.
"So you just jump straight in and give it a go in a completely different environment. That's tough, but it's good fun, and it's been a good experience.
"It's a no-brainer that you come. I don't think anyone would turn down the Lions! No one [from Scotland camp] said no, and no one would."
Dell added: "Yes it is [a no-brainer], you'd be crazy to say no. It's something you jump at and could be a once in a lifetime opportunity. And we've been privileged enough to receive that opportunity, and fortunate enough to get games.
"Obviously it wasn't as much time as we would have liked, and we haven't been able to show what we're fully capable of, but it's still fantastic.
"But we're privileged enough to have had those chances, and that's something we can take back and learn from.
"You don't come over wanting to just fill numbers, we're professionals, and you come over wanting to prove and to show you deserve to be in this scenario.
"That's the bit of frustration, but we understand we came in with a role and a job to play, and we're more than happy to fill that job and be a part of it.
