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Double British and Irish Lions tourist and now coach Johnny Sexton described the squad announcement day as “the best of days, and the worst of days.”
For those named it was squarely in the former description. Many were among teammates, and some were at home, but their reactions when their names were announced were the same, unbridled joy and delirium.
“It’s been a torturous couple of weeks so for everybody to come down today and hear the news was probably the best day I’ve had in my career,” England backrow Ben Earl told the official squad announcement event at London’s Dome via video.
CAPTAIN, LEADER, LEGEND
“I didn’t sleep at all (last night),” he said. “It has been painful. It’s been long, you overthink everything, but it is out of your hands, and you just try and do the best that you can. I’m overwhelmed and so, so excited to get going.”
Earl will be captained by his Saracens teammate Maro Itoje. They are two-thirds of the London club’s contingent along with outside back Elliot Daly.
“What a leader and what a year we’ve had together,” Earl added. “No one deserves it more and I can’t wait to go and watch him lead the best team in sport.”
TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN
Tomos Williams admitted he “did tear up,” after hearing the news. He and flanker Jac Morgan are the only two Welsh players in the squad after a wretched run of 17 consecutive test defeats.
However, the scrumhalf has been rewarded for his form for Gloucester. On tour Williams will be up against Ireland’s Jamison Gibson-Park and England’s Alex Mitchell for the number nine shirt.
“I never get nervous, but I’ve been emotional for the last few days. It’s the top of the mountain. You’ve can’t get any higher. You’ve put all this work in throughout your career and throughout your life for this.”