Cumbrian Chris Harris says he will embrace the “pressure” of being drafted into the British & Irish Lions side for this weekend's huge second Test.

Former Carlisle Rugby Club star Harris will bid to help the Lions take an unassailable 2-0 lead against South Africa on Saturday.

The former Trinity School boy was called into the team by head coach Warren Gatland among three changes to the side that won the first Test.

It will be a first Lions cap for the Gloucester and Scotland centre, who has replaced Elliott Daly in the XV.

Harris, 30, said he is ready for the opportunity in the high-stakes encounter in Cape Town.

“Pressure is a privilege isn’t it?” he said. “It is an opportunity for me to go out there and really show what I am about, contribute my game to the team.

“It’s my first test, I just want to go out there and give the best version of myself.”

Harris admitted it had been a pleasant surprise to get the nod from Gatland, having not made it onto the pitch in the 22-17 first Test win.

“When a team wins you think they will go with a similar sort of team,” he said. “Maybe there might be a couple of changes.

“We had training in the day and it was hard to tell what the team would potentially be.

“It was a surprise - a nice surprise for me. I was a bit taken aback when my name was read out by Warren, but I am absolutely delighted.”

Harris said Daly had taken the decision with good grace, adding: “I congratulated Elliot last week and he congratulated me this week. That is just the way it is. It is how you react and have to go out and try as hard as you can.”