Andy Farrell has deliberated, ruminated, twisted and turned in the 18 months since he was announced as Head Coach.

But at last – in front of a crowd at Indigo Arena at the O2 – he revealed his 2025 British & Irish Lions squad: 21 forwards, 17 backs and unlimited talking points.

From three-tour veterans to Lions debutants, 35-year-old Bundee Aki to 20-year-old Henry Pollock, Farrell has picked a squad he hopes will be “remembered forever” as they target a second straight Test series win against Australia this summer.

Of his 38 players, 15 are from Ireland, 13 from England, eight from Scotland and two from Wales, all finding out simultaneously with the rest of the world as Lions Chairman Ieuan Evans read the squad alphabetically.

The only player with any inkling was Maro Itoje, announced as Tour Captain for what will be his third Lions Tour, becoming the first Englishman to hold the armband in 24 years.

“What you are after more than anything as a coach is the right balance, the right blend and set standards,” Farrell said.

“You can see throughout the squad they will be vying for respect and that is what it is about, respect from your peers. These are the best of the best and you want to be remembered forever.”

The squad was not finalised until Wednesday morning, as Farrell and his coaches considered as many as 75 players.

“It has been a robust process but that’s the way it is supposed to be isn’t it,” he added.

“If it’s not difficult, then you don’t have a good squad.

"Going from 75 players and getting it down to 55 - that's tough enough. It says everything about the process.

“Getting it down to the final 38 was hard. It is my job to play devil’s advocate and ask the right questions of my coaches. All our conversations have been fantastic. To get from 55 players to the 38 is extremely difficult.

“We got to 90% of the squad and then the final 10% was torture but that is how it is supposed to be.”

The analysis will continue for weeks, as the players close out their domestic seasons under intense scrutiny before meeting in mid-June to prepare for 1888 Cup match against Argentina in Dublin, and speculation will now turn to who will play in the Test series.

But for now, those 38 players were left to bask in the limelight – and there is nothing quite like being selected for the Lions.

Those behind the scenes were quick to tee up live interviews with some of the players and, while the connections were not all perfect and the odd bit of colourful language might have slipped through, the raw emotion was obvious.

Ben Earl said he’s barely slept for two weeks, Mack Hansen could hardly speak, while Tomos Williams admitted today is the best of his life.

"I have got to admit I did shed a tear,” the scrum-half said.

"The last two days I've been an emotional wreck. Grateful for my parents, my partner Laura and everyone who has helped me.

“The top of the mountain. You cannot get much higher than this achievement. I'll get a bit of stick for this, no doubt."

While every name was met with a cheer from the audience, the announcement of Pollock almost brought the house down.

Coming into this season, Pollock had played just 30 minutes of rugby in the Gallagher Premiership, but following his rapid rise, his inclusion cannot be a surprise. A Lions bolter? More of a dead cert, such has been his form for Northampton Saints in Europe.

“If you are good enough, you are old enough,” Farrell said.

“It does not matter how young you are, if you are 20, 25 or 30. Henry is confident, he is cocky, and we want him to show all of that.

“It’s about the here and now. If he’s performing against quality, he’s ready. He will push the others who didn’t think he was coming.”

The English champions have four players selected, including Fin Smith, who is one of three fly-halves alongside Finn Russell and Marcus Smith.

Three of the home union captains will be on the plane, with Scotland centre Sione Tuipulotu, who missed the Six Nations with injury, and Wales flanker Jac Morgan named. Ireland’s Caelan Doris misses out after suffering a shoulder injury at the weekend.

Of the squad, 26 are first-time tourists, eight are on the second Tour and three – Itoje, Tadhg Furlong, Finn Russell and Elliot Daly – are on their third.

“It is a new squad of players for the Lions. Those who went to South Africa did not get the full experience but they will this summer,” he added.

“I am excited to coach them. It is going to be a summer to remember.”