PICS: British and Irish Lions gather for the first time on 'Messy Monday'
The team has been named and now the British and Irish Lions will be feeling the excitement as 'Messy Monday' has arrived.
🎥 Big smiles as the 2017 Lions squad assemble for the first time! #AllForOne #LionsNZ2017 pic.twitter.com/jTAZCF4mgZ
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) May 8, 2017
'Messy Monday' is the first day the team meets as a whole, with all 41 players getting kitted out with the gear they'll need for the tour to New Zealand.
With 26 days to go until the first match the squad are gathering together for the first time on Player Admin Day #AllForOne pic.twitter.com/pIYFkJe41l
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) May 8, 2017
There was plenty of excitement, with Gatland having previously referred to the day as being "like the first day of school".
And needless to say, there were plenty of smiles from the players.
Another tradition that was upheld was the passing of BIL from Stuart Hogg to Maro Itoje.
.@StuartWHOGG_ catches up with an old friend!
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) May 8, 2017
As the 2013 guardian of BIL, Stuart has some words of wisdom for @maroitoje... 🦁 #AllForOne pic.twitter.com/R0qfnMDaNt
BIL is the tourists' mascot and it is the responsibility of the youngest player on the team to look after him. In 2013 it was Hogg, and this time 22-year-old Itoje has the honour.
And the tradition passes on...
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) May 8, 2017
2013 custodian @StuartWHOGG_ hands BIL over to @maroitoje - the youngest member of the 2017 Tour! #AllForOne pic.twitter.com/1szpI188Q4
The countdown to the first test on June 24 is well and truly on.
