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I am expecting a parcel to be delivered in the next few days.

Inside it, there will be a precious memento, marking one of my highest achievements in rugby – a handstitched cap, with my unique player number for the British & Irish Lions. I can’t wait to see it.

All 419 living Lions – and relatives of the other 416 Lions who are no longer with us –will receive a cap as members of the 1888 Club – those who have worn the red jersey in anger.

It is something I will cherish alongside my Scotland cap.

The honour of being chosen to be one of the “first amongst equals” – a Lion – is unparalleled in rugby.

The team only tours once every four years, and there are many worldclass players who have never had the honour of representing the Lions.

It is wonderful that those who have will have a tangible reminder to set alongside the unique memories of those Lions tours that they participated in.

Yet there will also be some controversy, not least in respect of last year’s tour to New Zealand.

At the time, when five Welshmen were co-opted into the touring squad because they were touring Australia, I argued that this devalued the status of the Lions and undermined some of the rich heritage and tradition.

There were also Scots who benefited because they were touring locally. Had the selection been made on merit, it is likely that it would have been Englishmen who should have joined the touring party, not those who are most adjacent to the action.

Horse-trading in selection has always taken place on Lions tours. In 1983, Colin Deans should have been the Test hooker in New Zealand.

Instead, Ciaran Fitzgerald, the tour captain, blocked the Scot from receiving a Test call-up.

When I was selected in 1989, Kenny Milne was overlooked in favour of the Irishman, Steve Smith.

Ireland were the poor relations of the Five Nations then, and struggling for representation.

Had Milne joined the tour party, that would have taken the Scots contingent to 10 and Ireland to three. Milne should have been the player on the tour on form.

Thankfully, Kenny was selected to tour New Zealand in 1993, so he will receive his cap in the next few days.

His number should just be a little lower than it actually is.

So while the cap will mark something special, it requires that the selectors do not devalue it.

They are hard fought for and deserve to go to the best of the best.