“Just to be in the squad is an honour and to try and push for a gig in that 23 (man squad) would be unreal,” Robertson said.

“ I’d come close last year, being in the squad for a bit and then had a few injuries and didn’t make the 23 so it would be an unreal experience to play for a Test against the Lions.

“I had a year off, went over to Oxford and it was great fun and I got away from rugby, but I think that was the best thing for me and really got that drive back.

“When I was away there were definitely moments there where I didn’t know if I’d come back to professional rugby but I’m very glad I did and I feel like I got that spark back.”

Winger Dylan Pietsch had a similarly impressed for the Force, recovering from a horror run of injuries that started with a calf injury in the Wallabies’ famous win against England last November. The man who replaced him, Max Jorgensen, wrote himself into history by scoring the winning try.

Against the Lions, Pietsch played fearless running rugby and hopes to add to his six caps for the Wallabies.

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“Any time that you get to play for the Wallabies is a big thing and I want to play as many games as I can,” Pietsch said.

“So if it’s against the Lions, if it’s against anyone, I just want to play for the Wallabies and five minutes, two minutes, I don’t care where I am, I’ll play prop if I have to but as long as I’m there that’s what I’m striving to do, is just to play as many games as I can for my country.”

Asked if he would make the ultimate sacrifice like Robertson, Pietsch joked: “I don’t have kids yet.”

All matches of The British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia are live & on demand on Stan Sport, with Wallabies Tests in 4K. All Test matches live and free on Channel 9 & 9Now.

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