Ireland head coach Les Kiss has admitted his delight at the British and Irish Lions call-up for Rory Best.

However, Kiss has insisted that the 30-year-old, who replaced the banned Dylan Hartley in the squad, should have been a member of the original party.

"It's something that all of us in this island thought was deserved in the first place, but that's the way it happens in selection sometimes," Kiss told BBC Sport.

"We're extremely happy for what Rory's got, it's great reward for everything he's done over the last four years. He's been immense for Ulster and Ireland.

"I do know that he's the type of player Australia will hate to play against and if he gets his chance he'll take it."

Best joined up with the rest of the squad on Monday.

Written by
Matt Law