The world of Twitter went mad for this morning’s British & Irish Lions squad announcement in London as the great and the good had their say on Warren Gatland’s selection.
Past Lions and former international stars, together with pressmen and women from all four Home Nations, voiced their thoughts on the 37-man party, as did current team-mates of those fortunate enough to be among the chosen few.
A number of those players Gatland selected to head Down Under also took to Twitter, while Qantas Wallabies star Quade Cooper was quick to react to the most eagerly anticipated squad announcement in 125 years of touring.
Here’s a selection of the standout tweets from across the board…
jamie heaslip@jamieheaslip (2009 and 2013 Lion)
Dreams do come true….
michael owen@mikeowenrugby (2005 Lion)
huge privilege for Warburton, very pleased for him. Vunipola something very special indeed, could well come back a world star
Will Greenwood@GreenwoodRugby (1997, 2001 and 2005 Lion)
Great centre combinations…. Brains in the second row….very quick back row…. Love the full backs…. Only 16 backs 21 forwards….
Matt Dawson@matt9dawson (1997, 2001 and 2005 Lion)
all the first time Lions will be running around the living room doing flick flacks. It’s that feeling when uve passed ur driving test!!
Neil Fissler@neilfissler (Sunday Express)
Mako Vunipola is another major shock. Could be an inspired pick from Graham Rowntree.
Jamie Roberts @Jamiehuwroberts (2009 and 2013 Lion)
Pretty special feeling today….April 2013 has been unreal #Lions Cheers for the messages
Brendan gallagher@gallagherbren (Daily Telegraph)
Big shout out for Tommy Bowe who has returned from major knee injury playing as well as ever. Badly missed by Ireland, a Lions starter for me
Mouritz Botha@mouritzbotha (Saracens and England)
Massive congrats to @Saracenslads, @Mako_Vunipola@Matt_Stevens3and @owen_fazon their #Lions selection. Great news!
Alex Spink@alexspinkmirror (Daily Mirror)
Matt Stevens retires from England and gets selected. Chris Robshaw leads country by splendid example all season and does not. Tough call.
Rob Lloyd@RobLloyd2 (South Wales Evening Post)
Some heavyweight forwards picked by Gatland. Huge quality in back row and pace and power behind the scrum. Lack of 10 cover a worry #lions
james haskell@jameshaskell (London Wasps and England)
Congrats to all those selected for the Lions, & to @samwarburton_as captain. There is nothing higher and more of a dream than a lions tour
Cardiff Blues@cardiff_blues
Congratulations to the 2013 Lions Captain @samwarburton_#lionstour#cardiffblues#proud
Mick Cleary@MickClearyTel (Daily Telegraph)
Very corporate these days but still gets juices flowing to see old footage. Decent squad that. Got to get them fit on plane now #Lions2013
Matt Scott@MattScott_10 (Edinburgh and Scotland centre)
So chuffed for the 3 Scots going on the Lions tour, especially @StuartWHOGG_15
Quade Cooper@QuadeCooper (Reds and Qantas Wallabies, Sean Maitland’s cousin)
Hooooly omg my cousin made the lions!!!! I’m so damn proud of my lil cuz. Came along way from the back yard tokoroa boys with snotty noses!!
Joe Rokocoko@J_Rokocoko (Bayonne and New Zealand)
Congrats to our big dog from Bayonne making the lions @mikephillips009
Scott Spedding@Scott_Spedding (Bayonne)
Busy consoling big dog @mikephillips009 he’s gutted he’s not captain.. haha #Lions Well done bro! Massive achievement!
Lewis Moody@LewisMoody7 (2005 Lion)
A massive congratulations to my former team mates @LeicesterTigers@benyoungs09@tomcroft6 parling,tyoungs,cole @Manutuilagi. Proud for u
PaulMorgan@PaulMorganrugby (Premiership Rugby)
is the perfect Lions captain. Hard as nails on the pitch and great role model off it #leader#lions2013
RobJones9@RobNJones9(1989 and 1993 Lion)
@samwarburton delighted for you Sam, a huge congratulations on the greatest rugby honour of all. Wales are proud of you and the guys
Brian Moore@brianmoore666 (1989 and 1993 Lion)
37 fine rugby players are elated at the biggest honour in NH rugby. Equally fine players know they may never have it; both deserve respect.
