British and Irish Lions squad for tour of Australia named, England's Maro Itoje captainSBy Simon SmaleTopic:Rugby Union1h ago1 hours agoThu 8 May 2025 at 1:27pmMaro Itoje was unvealed as captain at an event in London. (Getty Images: David Rogers)abc.net.au/news/british-and-irish-lions-squad-for-tour-of-australia-named/105271306Link copiedShareShare articleMaro Itoje of England will captain the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia later this year.The 93-cap veteran, who made his Lions debut as a 22-year-old in New Zealand in 2017, was announced at a fans event by coach Andy Farrell in London on Thursday.He was considered a front runner for the captaincy gig alongside Ireland skipper Caelan Doris.However the Leinster and Ireland number eight suffered a shoulder injury in last weekend's European Champions Cup semifinal defeat that will require surgery.Sadly for the Ireland star, he will now not even make the tour.Caelan Doris will not make the tour after suffering a shoulder injury. (Getty Images: David Rogers)Itoje captained England to a second-place finish in this year's Six Nations in his first five matches since taking over from Jamie George."It is hard to articulate. It is a tremendous honour, a tremendous privilege," Itoje said."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."Itoje is the first Englishman to captain the Lions in 24 years, following from World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson.The 30-year-old Saracens lock has twice toured with the Lions in his career, playing in all six possible Tests.Farrell said the phone reception was terrible when he initially called Itoje, so much so that he hung up.However, he was able to call back and ask: "By the way, would you like to be British and Irish Lions captain?" "The captain is the beacon. He is the leader, he is the person everyone looks up to," Farrell told the audience at London's O2 Arena."Not only because he is outstanding at his profession, but how he makes others feel."It takes a special person, that's for sure."Itoje was only named captain of his club side, Saracens, this season and then took over as skipper of England at the start of the year, on the eve of the Six Nations.Despite former coach Eddie Jones having questions over his captaincy, the towering lock was always considered captaincy material, ever since leading England to the Under 20 World Cup title in 2014.British and Irish Lions squad:Forwards: 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), Rónan 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).Backs: 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).Old heads and big risksHenry Pollock has only played one Test. His next could be as a British and Irish Lion. (Getty Images: Charles McQuillan)All up, Farrell has selected an initial touring party of 38 players, with Ireland providing the highest number of players (15).England has 13 players selected, with eight from Scotland and just two from Wales.There are few surprises in the pack, with England's Luke Cowan-Dickie perhaps a surprise to get the nod over former skipper George in at hooker.However, one name that sticks out is 20-year-old bolter Henry Pollock.The extraordinarily talented but extremely raw Northampton back row has played just one senior Test, but in his brief senior career has made a habit of embarrassing his more experienced opponents.Most notably, Pollock starred in Northampton's shock European Champions Cup victory against Leinster at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin last week, in front of Farrell.Farrell, a former England cross-code international who has coached Ireland since 2019, had to make several huge calls in the backs, including at number 10.There, he has decided against selecting Ireland protégé Sam Prendergast and his son, England's record points scorer and two-time Lions tourist, Owen Farrell.Farrell has not played for England since the 2023 World Cup, plying his trade in France where he has struggled with injuries, playing just 17 games in the French Top 14 this year for Racing 92.Despite that, he was seen as a potential wildcard pick in the one position where few candidates have nailed down their spot.Prendergast had been considered a front runner after bursting onto the scene and starring in Ireland's demolition of England in round one of the Six Nations, but has since dramatically dropped off the boil, with his defence in particular a real liability at international level.Instead, he has opted for mercurial Scotsman Finn Russell, with live-wire England pair Fin Smith and Marcus Smith.Marcus Smith and Fin Smith will both be on the plane. (Getty Images: RFU/Dan Mullan)Marcus Smith's versatility — he has been used as a fullback for England and club side Harlequins of late — would have aided his selection, as would that of utility back Elliot Daly.Melbourne-born and Rebels-raised Sione Tuipulotu, who did not play a single minute of the Six Nations for adopted nation Scotland due to a pectoral injury, has been named and is expected to return to action this week.Tuipulotu had played for the Wallabies U20s but, through his Scottish grandmother, was eligible to play for Scotland and has reinvented himself in the northern hemisphere.ABC Sport Daily podcastABC Sport Daily is your daily sports conversation. We dive into the biggest story of the day and get you up to speed with everything else that's making headlines.After a horror two seasons, Welsh fans could not possibly have expected to have any more than a couple of players make the grade — scrum half Tomos Williams admitted to shedding a tear when he found out he had been selected — but providing just two would sting a nation with such proud Lions pedigree.Two players is the equal lowest number of tourists from a single country since World War II, joining the two Scottish players who were selected in 2009 and 2017 — and that was despite the tour being led by a Scotsman, Ian McGeechan, in 2009.Wales has not had fewer than five players in a Lions Tour since WWII.Despite the disappointment for some players, perhaps most notably Scotland wing Darcy Graham, Farrell said the door was not closed."Commiserations for those who had dreams of being selected today, but there are stories on every single tour that we can talk about," Farrell said."For everyone who has ambition, keep fighting and stay fit. We will be watching."The ABC of SPORTSports content to make you think... or allow you not to. A newsletter delivered each Saturday.Your information is being handled in accordance with the ABC Privacy Collection Statement.Email addressSubscribePosted 1h ago1 hours agoThu 8 May 2025 at 1:27pm, updated 1m ago1 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 2:31pmShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)SportPies beat Dockers as Schultz collapses after sickening clash in 'rattling' scenesTopic:AFLPhoto shows Lachie Schultz is helped off the ground by the trainers'Banged up' Farnworth produces brilliant try in rare Dolphins away winTopic:NRLPhoto shows Herbie Farnworth of the Dolphins makes a break to scoreSam Kerr announces birth of son with partner Kristie MewisTopic:SoccerPhoto shows Two women smile as one holds an infant to her chestNRL boss makes bizarre player swap proposal as Perth Bears club announcedAnalysis by Tom WildiePhoto shows The press conference announcing the foundation of the Perth Bears'I never gave up hope': Bears faithful joyous as NRL return confirmedAnalysis by Nick CamptonPhoto shows A group of rugby league fans celebrate Top StoriesCabinet ministers Mark Dreyfus, Ed Husic scrapped from new Albanese ministryTopic:Political LeadershipPhoto shows a composite image of two men wearing suitsMore women in Labor than ever but top jobs still going to menBAnalysis by Brett WorthingtonPhoto shows Anika Wells Amanda Rishworth Katie Gallagher Anne AlyJacinta Nampijinpa Price joins Liberal Party as leadership race heats upTopic:Political Parties and MovementsPhoto shows A close up shot of a woman wearing a white blazer and black and white shirt.Conclave's second day begins with more black smoke as voting continuesTopic:Religious LeadersPhoto shows Black smoke spewing from a chimney.Wrong warnings, panicked staff: Bondi inquest reveals timeline of confusionTopic:CrimePhoto shows Paramedics stand with stretches near vehicles on a road.Popular nowSam Kerr announces birth of son with partner Kristie MewisTopic:SoccerPhoto shows Two women smile as one holds an infant to her chestCabinet ministers Dreyfus, Husic scrapped from new Albanese ministryTopic:Political LeadershipPhoto shows a composite image of two men wearing suitsFormer Liberal MP Katie Allen announces diagnosis of rare cancerTopic:Government and PoliticsPhoto shows Woman sitting on a panel show smilingRelated topicsEnglandIrelandNorthern IrelandRugby UnionScotlandSportUnited KingdomWalesTop StoriesCabinet ministers Mark Dreyfus, Ed Husic scrapped from new Albanese ministryTopic:Political LeadershipPhoto shows a composite image of two men wearing suitsMore women in Labor than ever but top jobs still going to menBAnalysis by Brett WorthingtonJacinta Nampijinpa Price joins Liberal Party as leadership race heats upTopic:Political Parties and MovementsConclave's second day begins with more black smoke as voting continuesTopic:Religious LeadersWrong warnings, panicked staff: Bondi inquest reveals timeline of confusionTopic:CrimeJust InMan charged with stalking Jennifer Aniston after crashing into her homeTopic:Courts8m ago8 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 2:23pmMaro Itoje captains British and Irish Lions squad for Australia tourTopic:Rugby Union1m ago1 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 2:31pmGerman spy agency pauses 'extremist' classification for AfD partyTopic:World Politics1h ago1 hours agoThu 8 May 2025 at 1:14pmSam Kerr announces birth of son with partner Kristie MewisTopic:Soccer2h ago2 hours agoThu 8 May 2025 at 11:52amMore Just InBack to top