Dragons lock Cory Hill, Cardiff Blues hooker Kristian Dacey, Scarlets scrum half Gareth Davies and Exeter Chiefs tight head prop Tomas Francis have all linked up with the Lions after helping Wales to beat Tonga at Eden Park.
The Welsh quartet headed from Auckland to Rotorua to attend the game against the Maori All Blacks and will be in contention for the game against the Chiefs on Tuesday in Hamilton. The three match Test series against the All Blacks kicks-off in Auckland next weekend.
Acting Wales head coach Robin McBryde, who saw all four men play key roles in the 24-6 win over the Tongans on Friday, hailed the call-ups “a proud moment” for the quartet. McBryde was himself a Lions tourist in Australia in 2001.
“We’ve said from the outset that we’re here to support the British & Irish Lions should they need it, and we’re pleased to be able to do so now that four of our players have received call-ups,” said McBryde.
“Kristian, Gareth, Cory and Tomas are great professionals who have made a very positive contribution to Wales’ tour so far, not least in the game at Eden Park. This is a proud moment for them and the whole Wales squad wishes them the best of luck.”
The Lions left London with a squad of 41 players for their 10 match tour and had already lost Scotland full back Stuart Hogg to a freak injury in the win over the Crusaders. Now Moriarty has become the second player to be forced out of the trip.
“We have said all along that we need to give ourselves the best chance of winning the Test series and that could potentially involve calling up players,” explained Lions head coach Warren Gatland.
“Bringing in these players from an identical time zone, who can hit the ground running and step straight in rather than having to adjust following long-haul travel, will help us manage players before the 1st Test, give us quality training numbers to prepare properly as well as offering us options for selection for the Chiefs match.”
“These are players currently on international duty who we are looking forward to welcoming into the Tour party as we did with several players in 2013. I spoke to all the Home Union coaches prior to departure and explained our thinking and they were all supportive.”
There will be a further announcement regarding call-ups following the conclusion of other Home Union Tests this weekend. Scotland play Australia, England are in Argentina and Ireland face Japan.
Moriarty played in the opening tour win over the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians, but a nerve injury has ruled him out of the remainder of the tour.
“It has been my dream since I was able to understand what rugby was, to play for the British & Irish Lions. Rugby is a huge part of mine and my family’s life and I’m hugely honoured to have been able to pull on the famous jersey and be part of this group and this tour,” said the Gloucester Rugby back row man.
“I feel becoming a Lion was reward for all the people who have helped me get to this stage in my career and I have really enjoyed the experience. I wish all the boys the best and I’ll be supporting them fully from back home.”
Wales, who travel to Samoa this Sunday, will not be making any call-ups to their squad at this point.
