ROTORUA, New Zealand -- The British & Irish Lions have confirmed Scotland duo Allan Dell and Finn Russell will link up with the squad alongside Wales quartet Kristian Dacey, Cory Hill, Tomas Francis and Gareth Davies.
The group will be added to the matchday party for their midweek games against the Chiefs and Hurricanes as Warren Gatland looks to protect the Test squad for their three-match series against the All Blacks.
All four Wales players were in action against Tonga on Friday evening in Auckland and attended the Lions' match against the Maori All Blacks on Saturday.
Dell and Russell both played as Scotland stunned Australia in Sydney on Saturday, and are expected to arrive in time for their game versus the Chiefs in Hamilton on Tuesday.
Hooker Dacey and tight-head Francis bolster the front-row while Hill will add cover to the locks. Scrum-half Davies also joins the party.
Scotland and Wales players were favoured over their Irish and English counterparts due to their close proximity to the Lions' camp.
WATCH | Finn Russell and Allan Dell on joining the British and Irish Lions squad #LionsNZ2017 pic.twitter.com/160nDjOqm5
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) June 17, 2017
"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," Gatland said.
"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 first 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."