British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell: "Commiserations for those who had dreams of being selected today, but there are stories on every single tour that we can talk about.

"For everyone who has ambition, keep fighting and stay fit. We will be watching."

Ben Earl is on a zoom call. You can see the pure joy on his face. I feel like crying for him!

Quotes to come.

What do you make of the selection?

Get in touch using the methods above. We'll keep bringing you details from the announcement and then go through the main talking points in more detail afterwards.

Image source, Getty Images

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland at Scotstoun Stadium

So Scotland match their total from the 2021 Lions tour by having eight players selected.

Four of them are Glasgow Warriors and we will hear from them shortly.

Spare a thought for Darcy Graham though. Many of us expected to see him selected.

British and Irish Lions assistant coach Johnny Sexton: "A huge day for all the players and their families.

"I have been on both sides of it, where it's the best day of your career and then where it's the worst day of your career.

"I have experience as a player and being able to pass on my experience is something I'm passionate about."

Image source, Getty Images

• Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby/Ireland)
• Elliot Daly (Saracens/England)
• Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints/England)
• Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
• Mack Hansen (Connacht Rugby/Ireland)
• Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
• Hugo Keenan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
• Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse/Scotland)
• James Lowe (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
• Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England)
• Garry Ringrose (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
• Finn Russell (Bath Rugby/Scotland)
• Fin Smith (Northampton Saints/England)
• Marcus Smith (Harlequins/ England)
• Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
• Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland)
• Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby/Wales)

Just two Wales players - Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams.

• Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby/Ireland)
• Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers/England)
• Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
• Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks/England)
• Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
• Tom Curry (Sale Sharks/England)
• Ben Earl (Saracens/England)
• Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
• Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
• Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears/England)
• Maro Itoje (Saracens/England - captain)
• Ronan Kelleher (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
• Joe McCarthy (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
• Jac Morgan (Ospreys/Wales)
• Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/England)
• Andrew Porter (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
• James Ryan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
• Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland)
• Dan Sheehan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
• Will Stuart (Bath Rugby/England)
• Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)

IN - Elliot Daly.

Tommy Freeman, Finn Russell and Fin Smith are all included. Marcus Smith is also in.

Wales get another player in scrum-half Tomos Williams.

No Owen Farrell. Ireland fly-half Sam Prendergast also misses out.

IN - Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry, Ben Earl.

Jac Morgan and Henry Pollock are also in. Pollock has the loudest cheer.

No Caelan Doris, who was injured on Saturday.

More to follow.

Here we go...

Forwards up first.

British and Irish Lions captain Maro Itoje on his previous Lions tours: "I'm just grateful that I have a bit more facial hair.

"Carrying BIL [Lions mascot - standing for British and Irish Lion] around was an absolute pleasure in 2017. It started off as a pleasure, but it did become a little bit of a pain."

Mike Henson
BBC Sport at Indigo

It was only in August, a little over eight months ago, that Maro Itoje was unveiled as Saracens' new captain, across town in front of London's Tower Bridge.

Since then he has gone on to lead his country and he is now the figurehead for the Lions voyage Down Under.

He has got used to these gigs fast.

British and Irish Lions captain Maro Itoje on having dinner with former Lions captains on Wednesday: "Some of these guys played for the Lions - what 40 years ago?

"You can see the passion, the pride and the way they care about it. It was amazing to be a part of that."

British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell on the poor phone signal when informing Maro Itoje: "I put the phone down.

"He knows something is brewing. I ring him back and say 'by the way, would you like to be British and Irish Lions captain?"

Image source, Getty Images

Very chilled out vibe on the stage. Everyone laughing, Maro Itoje - in full Lions kit - looks so relaxed. Seems perfect for the role in terms of media duties. He is pretty good on the pitch too.

British and Irish Lions captain Maro Itoje: "It is hard to articulate. It is a tremendous honour, a tremendous privilege.

"You think about the people who have held this position before and it is remarkable.

"It is an honour and I will do my very best so that I can contribute to a successful tour."

Mike Henson
BBC Sport at Indigo

The crowd pipe up with a chant of 'Oh Maro Itoje' to the tune of the White Stripes' Seven Nation Army as the new captain, clutching the traditional Lions mascot makes his way through fans to the stage.

It was the soundtrack to the England second row's outstanding performances as a 22-year-old on the 2017 tour of New Zealand.

England lock Maro Itoje is named captain of the British and Irish Lions for their tour of Australia.

Former Lions on what it's like to captain the Lions...

Alun Wyn Jones: "To be a Lion is an honour."

Paul O'Connell: "To captain the Lions - that's the ultimate."

Sam Warburton: "Following footsteps of legends."

And we're about to learn who the 2025 captain will be...