Croft was omitted from the original Lions squad, but collected a Guinness Premiership winner’s medal and played in a Heineken Cup Final with Leicester Tigers before being called up to the tour to South Africa after suspension deprived Ireland’s Alan Quinlan of a place.
“I always thought the Lions was something you did later in your career,” says 23-year-old Croft.
“It is a lot to take in. I never thought it would happen when I wasn't in the squad first time around, but now I can hardly wait for the match to start.
"There are thousands of Lions supporters over here and it is one of biggest matches I might ever play in my career.”
Croft ended the domestic season in the second row for Tigers but reverts to the No6 shirt with the Lions, teaming up with Irish duo David Wallace and Jamie Heaslip in the back row.
"I've always been a fully paid-up member of the back-row club, even though I've appeared in the second row for Leicester and England,” he says. “Now I guess everyone will see I'm a back-row forward.
“With Leicester I tend to play a more expansive role in my position, but here it is more about the close-quarter stuff. I'm enjoying that role.
“As a six you need a number seven who can shift off the back of the line-out and David Wallace can certainly do that. He has got great ball skills and is a good runner."
Leicester Tigers scrum-half Harry Ellis is also in the Lions 22 for the opening Test and he says the players are very aware of the significance of wearing the red jersey.
“A lot of hard work has gone into getting to this place and it is a privilege to be here,” he says.
“You think of the guys who have worn the shirt before you and it spurs you on.
“We have won all our matches so far and there is a really good buzz about the camp.
“At the start of the tour, it was fairly quiet but now it is starting to go mad with thousands of Lions supporters out here.”
Tigers chief executive Peter Wheeler played in two Lions tours and he is among the rugby supporters looking forward to seeing the Leicester duo in action.
“Tom Croft has made an impact at every level he has moved up in his career,” Wheelers says.
“At scrum-half, Mike Phillips is a good, physical, robust guy and is playing well or Harry would have been an automatic selection.
“Playing for the Lions is one of the biggest occasions in a player’s life and I am sure that Harry and Tom will acquit themselves extremely well. We are all delighted at Leicester that they are doing so well.”
Live coverage of the first Test against South Africa will be shown in the ABC Bar at Welford Road on Saturday. Kick-off is at 2pm.
