Lions squad announcements have transformed beyond all recognition in the space of a generation. From horse-trading between union chairmen in smoke-filled rooms that would result in a round of letters, usually second class, being dispatched to the live televised event where the list of sponsors and, of course, partners is longer than the squad list itself.

What has not changed is the emotions those selections can invoke, a vivid snapshot of which was provided last Wednesday afternoon at Wasps training ground. Training had just finished and best friends Elliot Daly and Joe Launchbury gathered in a corner of the changing room to watch the announcement being made on their smartphones.

With the backs announced first in alphabetical order, Daly’s was the second name to be read out by tour manager John Spencer. Then came the forwards. George Kruis’ name was followed by Courtney Lawes.

Despite his outstanding form for both Wasps and England during the Six Nations, second row Launchbury had not made the cut. The elation and despair each individual felt was tempered by empathy for the other’s feelings.

“I think he was probably more overjoyed for me,” Daly said. “He congratulated me as soon as my name was announced. I was hoping his name would be announced as well but unfortunately it wasn’t. I was gutted for him.