Ugo Monye is delighted to be cast as a Christian thrown into the Lions' Den and is relishing a unique opportunity to take his faith to South Africa this summer.

The Harlequins wing, who is driven in life by his strong beliefs, has won only six caps with England and was stunned to discover yesterday that he will be part of the Lions squad for the three-Test tour:

"When I heard the news it was the best day of my life," he said. "Normally I am not lost for words, but I was when I heard about my selection. I am thrilled and proud and how ironic that a Christian will be playing for the Lions rather than being eaten by one!

"I am so excited to be getting on the plane with the Lions and my family will follow, to watch the tour. I was really anxious on Monday night before the tour party was announced and spoke to my mother who sent me a psalm to read which calmed me down. It gave me some peace and I decided to leave it to the Big Man and he came through again for me."

The 25-year-old, one of the quickest wings in rugby, has needed his faith to deal with the danger that a long-standing back problem could have ruined his career. Having overcome severe pain to burst onto the international scene last November, Monye was struck down again in the Six Nations before battling back to remind everyone about his natural pace and try scoring power.

Now, the Lions want him to be one of their attacking spearheads against the world champions and Monye can't wait to experience Test rugby away from Twickenham, where he has won all of his caps after injury ruled him out of games in Cardiff and Dublin.

He said: "It has been strange only playing Test rugby down the road from my home at Twickenham Stadium -now I will finally get the chance to experience international rugby away from London."

Monye was with his club-mates at their training ground preparing for Saturday's final regular season Guinness Premiership match with Newcastle when the players trooped into the team room to see the Lions squad announcement live.

Unable to deal with the wait, Monye went outside for some fresh air and then heard his mates singing his name as it appeared on the screen.

He returned to the room, naturally thrilled about this special rugby honour but quickly recognised that for Quins team-mates Nick Easter and Danny Care, the news had been very different as they were not in the squad.

"I was sitting next to Danny, who is one of my best friends, and not hearing his name read out was devastating," said Monye. "I shared a hotel room throughout the Six Nations for England with Nick and feel just as bad for him while Delon Armitage is one of my best mates and he has also missed out.

"I was truly gutted that the guys weren't in because they are my close friends."

Now, all of those Quins players have to push their contrasting Lions news to one side and concentrate on getting the club into the Premiership play-offs by finishing in the top four.

Their cause was helped enormously last night when 11th-placed Worcester recorded a shock 13-6 away win at Gloucester, who could have broken into the top four.

With one round of matches to go, Quins are in second place and if they hold onto that position it will bring a home play-off match.

Monye said:" Of course the Lions are in my thoughts but what has got me into the England team this season and onto the tour has been the club.

"We won't be taking our eyes off the Premiership and getting into the semi-finals is our priority."