The white smoke billowed and the men in red were finally in total unison, all roads leading Down Under rather than to Rome.

After months of questions and seemingly endless debate, British & Irish Lions Head Coach Andy Farrell finally had his answers – though, of course, the real examination lies ahead in ten bruising fixtures, including three Wallabies Tests, from Dublin to Sydney.

There are call-ups, and then there are Lions call-ups. The class of 2025 was revealed to a live audience of 2,000 fans at London’s O2 to a fanfare like never before.

Players waited at home or at training grounds to hear the news – no advance warning or privileged heads-up to determine whether they were in or out of one of the most exclusive clubs in sport.

Even off the pitch, few things are more brutal and beautiful than Lions rugby, with its 137 years (and counting) of storied history.

And if the timeline of this story started in black and white, retold through yellowing sepia-tinted photos, this announcement was delivered in glorious technicolour. For many watching one-time Lions, a livestream was something you paddled in, and TikTok the sound a clock made.

But while it looked and felt different from the past, what it meant was exactly the same – the tightly-bound red thread that joins cap one, Jack Anderton, to those heading for Australia remains as strong as ever.

“It’s been a tortuous couple of weeks; it’s the best news of my career and I’m just so pleased,” said England and Saracens flanker Ben Earl, who watched in his kitchen, while his heart was upstairs in the attic.

“I didn’t sleep at all last night. I’ve been overthinking everything because it’s out of your hands. Mum was crying, Dad was trying not to cry, my team-mates were jumping around – it was a special moment.”

Back in 1968, it was very different for the legendary Gareth Edwards, who won ten Test caps across three Tours.

His anxious wait wasn’t for the TV pictures but for the postman – the most important letter he ever received arrived alongside the gas bill and some fashion advice.

“Things are very different now with regards to the media focus and excitement around a British & Irish Lions tour,” he said.

“Back in my day, all the players were told they were selected by letter. I was there waiting for this brown envelope to arrive.

“I was so nervous I struggled to open it, but when I did it read: ‘Dear Mr Edwards, you have been selected to tour with the British Lions to South Africa. Please find enclosed a voucher for two pairs of boots. We advise that you bring a heavy sweater with you as it can be chilly in the evenings in South Africa.’

“I felt such a thrill and so much anticipation – I was going to be playing alongside my heroes.”

Current Lions chair Ieuan Evans learned of his selection via Ceefax, constantly refreshing page 370 – one for Gen Z to Google – before discovering his fate.

“I found out watching the television in my house in Swansea with my girlfriend and my best friend," recalls Leigh Halfpenny, selected in 2009 despite only making his Wales debut a few months earlier.

“We were all really nervous, and then when the announcement came through, I jumped up and nearly hit my head on the light above me. Everyone was in tears. I rang my parents straight away – they were in tears too.”

They don’t say this is the greatest call of all for no reason.

Maro Itoje’s selection for his third Tour certainly felt different – introduced as the 47th captain in Lions history, to a flurry of camera flashes and a sea of mobile phones, his megawatt smile lighting up the room.

He was the only one of the 38-strong touring party to find out in advance, steadfastly keeping the secret in the same manner he hopes to repel the Wallabies this summer.

“I found out on Tuesday. I got a call from an Irish number – not many Irish people call me,” he said. “I picked it up and heard a Wigan accent and put two and two together, though the signal was a bit crackly.

“It’s hard to articulate what this means. It’s just a tremendous honour and privilege when you think about the people who have held this position before.”

Unburdened of his secret, the hard work now starts for Farrell and his team of tourists. It was afternoon of pride and relief in London but the real celebrations can wait – there’s work to do half a world away.