CENTRE Ben Te’o has become the first Worcester Warriors player to gain selection for the British and Irish Lions.

The 30-year-old believes his inclusion in this summer's Lions tour to New Zealand is a “special thing” for Warriors.

It ended a nervous few days for Te’o who revealed he hadn’t been notified in advance of today's squad announcement.

“I found out at midday,” said Te’o, who has won eight Test caps for England.

“I was in a Worcester team meeting and at the end we switched over to the live stream of the press conference.

“I found out with my team-mates and it was a good moment and they all gave me a good cheer.

"I was quite nervous and went straight on to the park to train.

“I didn’t know how it worked.

"I didn’t get a call and I had to wait to hear with everyone else.

“You are just anxious and want to know what is happening and for it to be over.

“For players, it’s a tough time and I really feel for the guys who didn’t make the squad because there are so many who have missed out and worked hard for the chance.”

Te’o has not yet met Lions head coach Warren Gatland and played a couple of matches against captain Sam Warburton.

It will be a return to New Zealand for Auckland-born Te’o, who joined Warriors from Leinster last summer and has bagged three tries in 10 appearances.

“My parents are still in New Zealand and I grew up there and, in my younger years, I played rugby all around the country but that was a long time ago,” he said.

“I know the country but I don’t think that gives you any advantage.

“There are a fair few guys from Ireland I have played with at Leinster.”

England have 16 players in the squad with Wales 12 and Ireland 11.

Outside backs Stuart Hogg and Tommy Seymour Scotland's sole representatives.

The Lions begin their 10-match tour with a match against the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians in Whangarei on June 3.

The Lions then face Blues (June 7), Crusaders (June 10), Highlanders (June 17), Maori All Blacks (June 17) and Chiefs (June 20).

The first Test is against the All Blacks in Auckland on June 24 and the Lions then meet Hurricanes on June 27.

The second Test is in Wellington on July 1 before the third Test in Auckland on July 8.

Te’o previously played at the highest level in rugby league and starred for Wests Tigers, Brisbane Broncos and South Sydney Rabbitohs.

He also represented Samoa at international level.

Te'o said: “As a rugby league player my dream was to win a competition and to play State of Origin.

"To be picked in the Queensland State of Origin team at the time was unbelievable and I have just got that same feeling again.

"It’s a special thing for the club. To see the enjoyment the academy guys got from my selection was great and I hope it’s contagious.

"There are guys here who can play for England.

To have someone in the room who has just made into the Lions is a really big thing and hopefully it makes them believe they can do it."

Lions squad: Backs: Biggar, Daly, Davies, Farrell, Halfpenny, Henshaw, Hogg, Joseph, Murray, North, Nowell, Payne, Sexton, Seymour, Te'o, Watson, Webb, Williams, Youngs.

Forwards: Best, Cole, Faletau, Furlong, George, Henderson, Itoje, Wyn Jones, Kruis, Lawes, Marler, McGrath, Moriarty, O'Brien, O'Mahony, Owens, Sinckler, Stander, Tipuric, M Vunipola, B Vunipola, Warburton.