Maro Itoje has been named captain of the British and Irish Lions for their upcoming tour in Australia, leading a squad largely composed of Irish players, including 15 from Ireland, just two from Wales, and one Englishman with minimal international experience. The 38-man squad announcement took place at The O2 arena in London, in front of over 2,000 fans, marking a significant milestone as Itoje becomes the first English captain of the Lions since Martin Johnson in 2001.
At 30 years old, Itoje will embark on his third Lions tour, having previously participated in 2017 and 2021. His leadership credentials have risen this season, also leading England and Saracens. Upon hearing his selection from Lions coach Andy Farrell, who reached out with the news, Itoje expressed his gratitude, describing the experience as “surreal.”
Interestingly, Itoje’s ascent to captaincy followed the unfortunate injury of Caelan Doris, the expected Ireland captain, who was sidelined with a shoulder injury during a recent Champions Cup semi-final. Itoje’s squad notably features a youthful lineup, with 26 players set to make their first tour, while others return for a second experience.
The team will compete against the Wallabies in three Test matches and other local sides during their tour in June and July. Named in the squad are several key players, including Scott Cummings and Andrew Porter, alongside new talents like 20-year-old Henry Pollock, who impressed in recent performances for Northampton.
In stark contrast, the Welsh representation is minimal, with only two players selected amid a challenging period for Welsh rugby. Coach Farrell mentioned he did not feel pressured to include more Welsh players, while Tomos Williams, one of the few selected, expressed his immense pride upon hearing his name announced.
Some notable omissions include Owen Farrell, Andy Farrell’s son, who has been struggling with fitness after stepping back from international play to focus on his mental health. Other flyhalf candidates such as Sam Prendergast and George Ford also missed out.
The Lions’ next tour is eagerly anticipated following a successful series against the Wallabies in 2013, with a match schedule that includes a warm-up against Argentina in Dublin before heading to Australia. This new squad promises to bring fresh energy and competitiveness to the tour, showcasing emerging talent across the four nations contributing to the Lions legacy.