I always had faith I would play for the Lions in First Test

Ugo Monye
19 Jun 2009

I had my head down near my knees sitting in the back row of the team room when Ian McGeechan read out my name to play against South Africa tomorrow. I was next to Mike Phillips, the Wales scrum-half, and he nudged my leg after Geech said: "No11 Ugo Monye".

It was such an amazing moment that, for a split second, I was wondering if I really did hear it correctly. I was so nervous and the fact that he started reading out the team from No1 meant it took a bit of time to get to me!

I didn't want to jump up for joy because I knew there were guys in the room who would be very disappointed at not making the Test team so I kept my cool and my head down, but inside I was beaming and, quite honestly, I could have shouted from the rooftops.

The first players who came up and shook my hand were Luke Fitzgerald and then Shane Williams which just shows the fantastic spirit we have in the camp.

It's a testament to the bond that has been created over the past month and, even though the guys were gutted, they handled it really well.

I use visualisation to help prepare for matches and I have already thought about walking into the dressing room in Durban tomorrow and seeing my name embroidered on the No11 jersey with the date - 20 June 2009 - and the opposition - South Africa.

Then I have imagined walking down the tunnel and onto the pitch to be met by that amazing noise and gathering as a team in a huddle; the anthems playing and then the whistle goes. Until now, it's just been a dream, but it's about to become reality.

The one thing I won't be thinking about is the last time I played against South Africa when they beat England 42-6 at Twickenham in November - I have drawn a line under that game. This is a different time and I will be wearing a different jersey and this Lions team has fantastic quality.

We have powerful forwards who will tackle all day, the back line is very quick with guys who have great vision and, if we get the right ball, then we could be in for a really good game.

I still haven't sorted my mobile phone out and so the first person I called was my brother Andy, using skype on my computer.

He is living with my mother Florence in Windsor and was a lot more confident about my starting the Test match than I was. Mum also congratulated me and now, it's a case of trying to get my family out here in time for the match. Mum, my two brothers and two sisters will be coming from London and Theo, my Dad , is going to fly in from Lagos - all I have to do is make sure I get them tickets!

Just thinking about all my family being there when I have the privilege of running onto the pitch wearing the Lions No11 jersey sends a tingle down my spine. I am so excited, I just can't wait.

Some of the Test team missed our midweek game, but I wasn't concerned about being drafted into the team with the Southern Kings because it was another opportunity for me and I scored my fourth try of the tour.

I know that the Quins lads will be texting me and when I do get that sim card fixed there will be a lot of messages to be read and they will be really pleased about what's happened for me on this tour. I managed to speak to my pastor at the Holy Trinity Church Brompton near Harrods and he was thrilled as well.

After finding out I was playing, I went to the beach across the road from our Durban hotel with Welsh centre Jamie Roberts and chilled out for a while because I know everything is going to start building as kick-off approaches and I need to keep busy.

I am sure there will be a few jitters tomorrow morning but my mum and sisters have been helping keep me calm by sending me passages to read from the scripture book I brought on tour.

Being able to link up with my family over the computer means we are able to pray together and my faith is a huge part of my life and I am so thankful for everything that has happened in the last eight months. It was only two years ago that I was lying on a friend's floor unable to move because of my back problem and thanks to my faith - I put everything down to God - he's got me to where I am today.

Before the autumn internationals, I was just hoping to get the chance to play for England. Having achieved that target I then had to overcome another back problem in the Six Nations but thanks to my pilates and the other strength work I do that was sorted out and I got back into the team. It was at that point I started thinking that, just maybe, I had a shot at getting on the Lions tour and now I have made the Test team.

We are playing the world champions in their own back yard, but confidence in the Lions camp is high and if I was asked: "How do you become an England and Lions Test wing in eight months"? My answer would be simple: "Go to church."