91Èȱ¬

Three Scots have been included in the Lions squad for this summer's tour to Australia.

Richie Gray, who will join Castres from Sale Sharks at the end of the season, is listed among the forwards in Warren Gatland's 37-man pool.

Glasgow Warriors backs Stuart Hogg and and Sean Maitland are also included.

Scotland captain Kelly Brown and England counterpart Chris Robshaw did not make the squad, but Gatland hinted they could be brought in as cover.

Wales coach Gatland has picked 15 players from his Six Nations championship-winning squad, with 10 from England, nine from Ireland and only three Scots.

For Hogg, it has been a quick rise up the ranks, having only made his Scotland debut in last season's Six Nations, since when he has won 15 caps.

The 20-year-old told 91Èȱ¬ Scotland: "It has been a rollercoaster year and I've enjoyed every minute of it.

"To have this at the end of the year is a dream come true.

"Growing up as a kid, all you want to do is play rugby at the highest level.

"Now to have the opportunity to do so is overwhelming and I am lost for words."

The full-back from Melrose was watching the team announcement on his mobile phone while practising his goal-kicking.

"When my name came up, I screamed like a little girl," said Hogg.

"All the pressure of the last few months, it being a Lions year, has just paid off and I am relieved to see my name there.

"Now it is all about getting the starting jersey. The hard work begins here"

Glasgow team-mate Maitland impressed in this year's Six Nations, running in a score against England on his Scotland debut.

Born in New Zealand, the 24-year-old qualifies for Scotland through his grandparents and said it was one of his major sporting ambitions to play for the national side.

"I'm very honoured and happy," Maitland told 91Èȱ¬ Scotland.

"It's definitely the highlight of my rugby career. My main goal was to come over here and try and play for Scotland, and now that has happened - and it was a wonderful experience at the Six Nations.

"I've got them to thank for getting me to where I am now."

The three Tests against the Wallabies will take place across the final two weekends in June and the first in July.

Backs: Leigh Halfpenny (Wales), Stuart Hogg (Scotland), Rob Kearney (Ireland), Tommy Bowe (Ireland), Alex Cuthbert (Wales), Sean Maitland (Scotland), George North (Wales), Jonathan Davies (Wales), Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland), Jamie Roberts (Wales), Manu Tuilagi (England), Owen Farrell (England), Jonathan Sexton (Ireland), Conor Murray (Ireland), Mike Phillips (Wales), Ben Youngs (England).

Forwards: Dan Cole (England), Cian Healy (Ireland), Gethin Jenkins (Wales), Adam Jones (Wales), Matt Stevens (England), Mako Vunipola (England), Dylan Hartley (England), Richard Hibbard (Wales), Tom Youngs (England), Ian Evans (Wales), Richie Gray (Scotland), Alun-Wyn Jones (Wales), Paul O'Connell (Ireland), Geoff Parling (England), Tom Croft (England), Toby Faletau (Wales), Jamie Heaslip (Ireland), Dan Lydiate (Wales), Sean O'Brien (Ireland), Justin Tipuric (Wales), Sam Warburton (Wales).