WEYMOUTH powerhouse Kane Francis feels “lucky and fortunate” to have made the reserve list for World’s Strongest Man 2023 this month.

Francis and USA strongman Thomas Evans are the reserves for the blue riband event in the sport, beginning on Wednesday, April 19 and finishing on Sunday, April 23.

Francis has been rewarded for his fifth place at Britain’s Strongest Man and will fly out to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for the duration of the competition.

However, he will need to rely on at least one withdrawal from the main field to line up alongside reigning champion Tom Stoltman and the challengers for his crown.

READ MORE: Kane Francis and Shane Flowers in contrasting Britain's Strongest Man fortunes

It is unclear whether Francis or Evans will be named first reserve.

Speaking to Echosport after receiving the news, Francis said: “I’m not officially competing but they are flying me out.

“If anything happens between now and the 19th of April, I’m in. Because of the turnout I had at the Britains, with fifth place, I think it’s off the back of that that I’ve got put down as a reserve.

“I’m very lucky and fortunate. There are a few guys, the likes of Brian Shaw and Mark Felix where it’s going to be their last World’s Strongest Man because they’re retiring from the Worlds.

“Then you’ve got Tom going for his third in a row, so there’s going to be a lot going on this year. There’s a lot of big things happening.

“I’m just lucky to be there and, and the end of the day, if I don’t get to compete then it will be a nice little holiday!”

Francis believes he can learn a great deal from the experience, even if he does not make the start list.

“I’ll be asking all sorts of questions if people have got time,” he said.

“I’ll try to be a sponge, just soak up everything I can. It’s so hard to call it.

“Going from Britain’s to World’s Strongest Man is a ridiculous step up. Any of the guys there could potentially be finalists.

“In my head, if I’m lucky enough to compete, the first stage is a group stage. The top athlete in each group goes through and then second and third have a stone-off.

“Then, whoever wins goes through. If I made it to the stone-off I’d be like: ‘Mission complete’, because I would’ve done exceptionally well with the standard of athlete.

“Even if I came dead last in the group, there’s nothing negative to come from that. It’s a late call-up and I’m only going to learn for next time. I’d just take it as a learning curve.”

Fellow Weymouth strongman, and good friend of Francis, Shane Flowers will be competing at Europe’s Strongest Man in Leeds this weekend.

However, even if he podiums he is not expected to compete at Myrtle Beach with his wife expecting a child.