5 Things You Missed: British & Irish Lions Squad Announcement Event at the 02

Held at the O2 Arena in London, the event blended emotion, history, and classic rugby banter, delivering unforgettable moments both on and off stage. While the spotlight naturally shone brightest on the 38 players that were selected for the upcoming trip to Australia, the event itself was packed with drama, surprises and unforgettable moments as Ugo Monye and Lee McKenzie hosted their esteemed guests.

Here are five standout moments you might’ve missed from the 02 Arena

If there was any doubt that 20-year-old Henry Pollock was the breakout star of 2025, his unavailing as the youngest member of the British & Lions squad has silenced any critics. When the Northampton Saints back rower's name was announced, the O2 erupted in what was easily the loudest cheer of the night, with full adulation poured out to the Northampton Saints golden boy.

A video showing Pollock learning of his Lions selection has since gone viral, as he is mobbed by his fellow Saints (and now Lions) teammates Fin Smith, Tommy Freeman and Alex Mitchell. Selected Lions stars roared in support of the young gun being selected, as Pollock continues his meteoric rise to through the rugby stratosphere after his sole England cap at the end of the 2023 Six Nations. Pure joy. A star is born.

In classic Mack Hansen fashion, the Connacht and Ireland winger was seeming caught off guard when the live Lions broadcast called him for a post-selection chat. Hansen is one of rugby's great personalities, having pulled off stunts like getting Andy Farrell's face tattooed on him after Ireland's 2023 Six Nations title triumph.

Whilst Hansen couldn’t attend in person, there was of course a story. While most players were anxiously awaiting the announcement, either watching the live broadcast with family or with their teammates Hansen was unwinding in with a sea swim in Bolas, trying to escape and unwind from the pressure.

“I’ve been sprung with this!” he laughed during a live link. “Bundee Aki was supposed to be on here, but he’s watching the kids.” Head coach Andy Farrell joked, “I didn’t pick him, It was the other coaches!" when asked how he's preparing to spend a Summer touring around Australia with Hansen in his squad. Classic Lions banter, and pure Mack.

Saracens back row Ben Earl joined the event via Zoom, tuning in from home where a few of his teammates (namely Theo Dan and Andy Christie) gathered for a low-key watch party. Earl, in good spirits, joked about Maro Itoje missing training, drawing laughter from the crowd. After fumbling with the front facing camera, Earl cut to his lounge, where his Saracens mates were clearly buzzing for him. It was a snapshot of the camaraderie that defines rugby culture away from the social media. Unpolished, real, and full of heart.

What made the moment even more special was Earl’s visible emotion. For a player whose form has been red-hot all season for England and his North London club, Earl was stunned to have earned the honour. Earning a Lions call-up is a reward years in the making, and seeing Earl surrounded by the players who’ve been in the trenches with him was a reminder that while selection is individual, the journey is anything but. It felt like a win not just for Earl, but for the brotherhood behind him.

A strong Scottish contingent tuned in from Scotstoun Stadium, where Sione Tuipulotu, Scott Cummings, Huw Jones, and Zander Fagerson celebrated their call-ups. When asked how he planned to mark the occasion, Cummings deadpanned: “I’ll have a quiet night.” Cue laughter from Andy Farrell and Lions Chairman Ieuan Evans, who quickly joked, “Well, you won’t be the social sec then!” Add in some brilliant back-and-forth with Ugo Monye, and the Scottish flair was well represented.

Then it was Tomos Williams’ turn. The Welsh scrum-half, dialed in from home via, offered one of the most touching moments of the night. Williams admitted he’d shed a tear when he heard the news of his selection. The crowd let out a collective “aww”, reminding everyone of the emotional weight that comes with a Lions call-up.

With just two Welsh players selected, Williams and Ospreys captain Jac Morgan, the emotion was heartfelt for the Welsh fans in attendance. Williams’ honesty struck a chord, capturing both the pride of representing your nation and the magnitude of being chosen for rugby’s most prestigious touring side.

No live event would be complete without a technical hiccup, and this time it was Ugo Monye - former Lion, pundit, and master of ceremonies—who fell victim. As he took to the stage early on to keep the show moving, his microphone decided it had other plans. What followed was a few seconds of awkward silence, met with good-natured laughter from the crowd. Without missing a beat, Monye leaned into the moment, quipping, “Shall we sing Jerusalem?”—a cheeky nod to England’s unofficial anthem and a quick save that got a big laugh.

Fans were then tested with an interactive Lions quiz (turns out most didn’t know Willie John McBride is the most capped Lion at 17), and the atmosphere was electric. One particularly passionate Leinster fan roared with pride every time one of the province’s 12 representatives was named, earning laughs and cheers from the crowd. Monye summed up the event perfectly as he quipped: “If you want to bring England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales fans together, just open a bar.”