GARETH Cooper has described his call-up for the British Lions tour to New Zealand this summer as the fulfilment of a dream.

The Newport Gwent Dragons scrum half was one of a host of players who did not receive the text message sent from Lions coach Sir Clive Woodward at the appointed time of 11am, so learnt of his inclusion by watching the live TV announcement an hour later with some friends at home.

Cooper admits he was desperate to make the tour, and in view of the series of injuries which have marred his season believes Sir Clive has taken form over the past two years into consideration.

"I had already said I didn't think I'd be going. I was at home with some mates watching TV and as soon as my name was read out we were jumping around the place and I forgot about the rest of the names in the squad," said Cooper.

"I was desperate to go on the tour, it's a dream to play for the Lions, it's the pinnacle of your career. And it's a dream to play in New Zealand. It's the best rugby country in the world with definitely the best individual players. It's what you want.

"Rugby is a way of life in New Zealand. I remember going there with Wales Schools and every school there had three teams in every age group whereas you're lucky to get one here.

"But after missing the Wales tour last summer with a shoulder injury, hurting my knee two weeks before the first Autumn game against South Africa, my hip which put me out for the Dragons and my ankle in the tsunami match, obviously I was picked not so much on current form but on the past two years after playing right through the year before.

"But even though I've had limited game time I feel I've played well for the Dragons and Wales. Perhaps Sir Clive has been able to watch those games."

Now that Cooper has made the tour party he aims to make the Test team, though he realises he will have to oust Wales team-mate Dwayne Peel who goes as the number one scrum half.

"Getting on the tour was perhaps the easy bit, now there is a spot to play for," he said. "Dwayne goes as the number one, but it depends on form after that. Maybe I've had all my injuries now.

"It's going to be a tall order to win the series there. For around 10 or 15 years the Southern Hemisphere dominated world rugby, but more recently the Northern Hemisphere has been catching up.

"England won the World Cup and won in New Zealand as well and we did well against them in the Autumn, so they can be beaten."

Cooper is still hoping to play for the Dragons again this season, though it's not certain his ankle injury will recover in time for their final league game of the season against Connacht at Rodney Parade on Saturday.