British and Irish Lions: 'I found I was picked through Ceefax'
One of the biggest stories from the announcement of British and Irish Lions squad was the selection of 20-year-old Henry Pollock.The forward was one of four Northampton Saints players named in the 38-strong party for the tour of Australia.His name and picture were greeted by loud cheers by the 2,000 fans inside Indigo, a venue within London's O2 Arena complex, in scenes very different from former Lions learned of their selection.Winger Ian Hunter, who was picked for the 1993 Lions tour to New Zealand, said he discovered his selection "on Ceefax... sitting on my own starring at the TV, waiting for page one to move to page two".
Ceefax was a teletext service that allowed people to check the latest BBC news and sport via their televisions.Hunter, 56, said he was not expecting his selection."Anyone who is there or thereabouts is always thinking 'What if?' but obviously when it came up it was an amazing experience," he said.Northampton Saints posted a video on social media of the players watching the Lions squad announcement.Despite the technological changes since he played, Hunter said he knew the emotions they were going through."It's the same feeling. Being picked for the Lions is the pinnacle of anyone's career," he said.Hunter's tour with the Lions was cut short, after he injured his shoulder in the first match, but he added: "Just putting the jersey on... was a 'pinch me' moment... definitely my proudest moment."
'A journalist phoned me up'
Former Scotland forward Colin Deans was selected for the 1983 Lions tour to New Zealand.The 70-year-old, who coached at Northampton Saints and lives in Northamptonshire, said he found out from a journalist who called him."There was no announcement. I think I got a letter two days later from the Lions," he said."It was one of the press who phoned me up and said 'Congratulations.'"On Thursday's event, when the latest squad was announced, he said: "I think the Lions is becoming quite a successful financial animal; it was absolutely great."
He did not play in 1983 but then was made captain for the proposed 1986 tour of South Africa.That did not go ahead due to a boycott of sports tours in the country because of apartheid.Despite that, Deans was still at the captain's dinner on Wednesday evening and at the announcement event at the O2 the following day.Deans said he was not surprised by Henry Pollock's selection."Pollock is one of those guys that rugby needs, he's brought this air of freshness... he's just unbelievable," he said.
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